Tracy Edwards’ 110ft Maxi-Catamaran, Maiden II, has broken the four day barrier and clocked over 40 knots to set a tough time to beat for the inaugural Antigua to Newport record. This record forms part of the extensive schedule of record attempts planned over the next three years.

Maiden II and her mixed crew of 16, skippered by Helena Darvelid and navigated by Adrienne Cahalan, arrived in Newport at a staggering speed of over 40 knots, to cross the finish line off Castle Hill at 15 30 15 local time, giving a record time of 94 hours, 31 minutes and 58 seconds (subject to World Sailing Speed Record Council ratification – WSSRC).

“I answered the phone at 9.00pm last night to hear Helena [Darvelid] yelling at me ,’We’re doing 40.6 knots! We can see the finish and we will be in under four days – Awesome!’ It was one of the many times I would rather have been on the boat than on shore,” commented, Sailing Director, Edwards

The Antigua to Newport record, the latest record to be added to the portfolio of passage records governed by the WSSRC, has proved to be a success for Maiden II. The international crew pushed the boat to the absolute limit enabling them to establish the record under four days, top the maximum speed that this boat has ever achieved in its well documented past as Club Med and produce an impressive average speed overall.

Edwards paid tribute to her crew and looks forward to the Jules Verne Trophy: “The Antigua to Newport record is the first of many. The confidence within the team grows with every mile sailed and although they had no wind for 18 hours they still achieved an impressive average speed of 16.9 knots, which is almost three knots faster that Bruno Peyron achieved in his recent record breaking attempt at the Jules Verne. This can only serve to drive us onwards in our quest for the Jules Verne Trophy.

“We would like to congratulate Bruno Peyron and his team for setting such a remarkable record of 64 days on our sister ship, Orange. It has kept the profile of the record high, has given us a new target on which to set our sights and inspired us to raise our game!” continued Edwards.

Edwards has a busy programme set up for the team incorporating a rigorous schedule of record attempts with the focus on attempting the Jules Verne Trophy at the beginning of 2003.

“After two weeks of small repairs and maintenance on the boat and crew, Maiden II will be on standby to break the 24 hour record. An extremely difficult record to achieve, it is held by Steve Fossett at 687.17nm. An awesome achievement by the team on PlayStation, our main rivals for the Jules Verne Trophy. However, I know that my team plan to be the fastest boat on the planet and if we get the right conditions we’ll do it!” informed Edwards.