About 30 mins ago "at 1400 GMT the lines attaching the 75-foot trimaran B&Q to the dockside in Falmouth were cast off and the tow boat gently nudged Ellen MacArthur out of Falmouth Harbour and on her way."

IF ELLEN CROSSES THE LINE ON SUNDAY (28.11.04) SHE WILL HAVE TO FINISH BY 9 FEB 2005 TO SET A NEW WORLD RECORD...

* B&Q WILL NEED TO AVERAGE BETTER THAN 15.38 KNOTS FOR 72 DAYS TO BREAK THE CURRENT RECORD...15 knots is faster than most leisure sailors go even for a minute, in their lives..

* TIME TO BEAT 72 DAYS, 22 HOURS, 54 MINUTES AND 22 SECONDS SET BY FRENCHMAN FRANCIS JOYON...he sailed almost 27,000 miles to get around the planet finishing 3 February 2004 last year and taking 21 days off the previous record.

full story on http://www.teamellen.com/ellen.asp?artid=1323

AWESOME! This should be quite a boost for women in sailing.

She (Ellen) already is One tough little (5 foot 2) cookie

just wondering if this transatlantic challenge on a 20,6 ft cat design was proceeding ,

Belgian Boatshow 2005 - Mis de boot niet

It would be an interesting challenge ,but would build and prepare a different concept , the capsize issue may be this designs largest fatigue contributing factor .
Many of the lessons and design add on concepts of previous 1000 mile races in preparing a cat for this most extreme challenge may prove a better approach .They will have a difficult time bettering the previous record set on a modified Inter 20 .

The basic concept chosen would be per earlier World 1000 races that added 10 ft extended arms set on a traverer base allowing for and aft adjustment, or simplier version ,-these could be reconfigured to double as enclosed sleeping areas ,-and allow adjustment in range to assist in righting in event of capsize .-


design ideas ? how would you set up for a transatlantic challenge in a 20 plus ft cat ?
have fun
Carl

Some guy crossed the atlantic in a 4.5 ft boat. I am certain with all the space on a 20ft cat design issues would not come close.

I love the idea of a wing assembly modifed for sleeping - you may be onto something here. I've enjoyed sleeping on the wing of a hobie 18 whilst some one else was sailing it offshore in the gulf of mexico. You tend to be high and dry above the waves. I think you just need some straps to stop from falling in - with a quick release facility if the skipper flips while you are zzzzzzing.

I'd just go with a carbon fiber version of the Reynolds 21 (shortened to 20'6" of course).