Holy $hit! This thing is going to be close! American Fossett's Trans Atlantic record was assumed to be so strong that it would be years before it would be toppled. Remember that Bruno Peyron is the guy that manages the Jules Verne Trophy and is the guy that was instremental in deciding that newcomers (of which Steve Fossett was the only one) had to pay more in order to be eligible for the Trophy...Steve Fossett refused to pay the higher fee and after breaking the circumnavigation record separated the union between the record and the JV Trophy. Basically the trophy became a lot less worthy now that the person that held it did not have the record. Bruno aims to put them both back together with this new boat...can you imagine Steve Fossett right now? Not to take anything away from Peyron but with all that Fossett has accomplished in sailing, the competitor inside him has to be thinking about another go. Two of his records (their 24hr record was previously beaten and currently held by MaidenII) have been upped by Orange on one outing. She's fast and appears to be able to be pressed very hard.

Again from Tim Zimmerman at the WetAssChronicles:

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Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Orange II Transatlantic Record Bid--Now, It's A Nailbiter!: I guess no one should ever count Bruno Peyron out. Since yesterday morning the French maestro has been sailing his monster cat flat out, through rough seas and building winds. He's piled up 634 miles in the last 24 hours, and at 0900GMT this morning he had just 148 miles to go, and 6.25 hours to get there. That requires an average of more than 23 knots, which puts it all down to the winds and wind angle. Peyron was forecasting a drop in wind pressure and they have to gybe south to get to the finish, so this thing is going to be a matter of minutes and miles. We'll know in a few hours, and I will post an update as soon as I get word. Damn, that boat is fast...

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"Keep it rolling, Bruno! I can smell the croissants and espresso already..."

Jake Kohl