[PUP] Earthrace tries again

[Georgs Kolesnikovs]

http://www.earthrace.net/


Problem slows Earthrace trimaran bid
8:00AM Friday May 02, 2008

The Earthrace trimaran is now pounding across the Atlantic towards 
Puerto Rico and is expected to arrive late on Monday.

It paused only a couple of hours to refuel in the Azores, a tiny 
Portuguese archipelago, after its 2807km first leg from Spain.

The second leg, 4287km to San Juan in Puerto Rico, is expected to 
take 121 hours in the bid to circumnavigate the world, powered by 
biodiesel, in less than 74 days.

At lunchtime yesterday it was 3292km from Spain and travelling at 
35.34km/h, on track to make the trip in about 65 days.

Skipper Pete Bethune, of Auckland, said a problem with the boat's 
autopilot meant the crew had to shut off power to it and steer by 
hand to the Azores.

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Earthrace faces refuels in Puerto Rico following excellent run across 
the Atlantic



Puerto Rico/London - 5 May 2008: Earthrace has made excellent time on 
her maiden voyage across the Atlantic, successfully completing the 
second leg of the World Record challenge ahead of schedule.



The 78ft wave-piercing trimaran has been briefly delayed in the port 
of San Juan, Puerto Rico due to a delay in its biodiesel arriving at 
the port, and will now leave for the short crossing to Panama on 
Tuesday 5 May.



Skipper Pete Bethune comments: "We had surplus Biodiesel from our 
Atlantic crossing which we have added to with a local biodiesel mix 
for the short leg to Panama, so as to ensure we do not lose too much 
time.



"It wasn't our preference, as the SGC-sponsored biodiesel we have 
been running is outstanding in terms of performance, but thankfully 
the compromise is only for a short leg. The most important thing is 
that we continue to run biodiesel.



"Thankfully the team has been running well ahead of schedule so we're 
confident we'll recoup the time once we reach Panama and our beloved 
next shipment of SGC biodiesel, which is waiting there in port for us.



"These things happen and you just have to rise to these challenges. 
We now expect to arrive in Panama on Thursday 8th May."



Earthrace is an incredible 78ft wave-piercing trimaran that runs 
exclusively on biodiesel, and has a net zero carbon footprint, making 
it one of the world's most environmentally-friendly powerboats. 
Skipper Pete Bethune and his crew set off from Sagunto, Spain on 27 
April in an attempt to break the round the world speed record.



The route takes the boat across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian 
oceans as it thunders 24,000 nautical miles along the planet's 
circumference at a maximum speed of 40 knots. If they succeed, 
Earthrace will be the first boat to break the record using only 
renewable fuel.



The boat has many additional 'green' credentials, such as 
low-emission engines, non-toxic anti-foul and efficient hull design. 
In a brave display of commitment to the cause, Bethune even underwent 
liposuction to donate his own fat to be processed into biofuel.



Earthrace aims to show the world that the best technology can also be 
sustainable and 100% carbon neutral without skimping on performance 
or design.