Steve Fossett’s maxicat PlayStation is currently ahead of the record-setting pace on her Cowes-St Malo sprint. The 125ft speed machine, with designers Melvin and Morelli onboard, is tilting at the 6h 49m 19s time set in 1997 by Tracy Edwards and the girls of Royal & Sun Alliance.

After her most recent poll – at 1240 GMT – PlayStation was fully one hour ahead of the R&SA benchmark time, flying along under full main and solent jib at 26 knots. Her current rate of progress means the timing officials at the Dinard Yacht Club will be expecting the maxicat and her dozen crew at about 1430.

PlayStation’s crew1. Steve Fossett (USA) Skipper2. David Scully (USA) 1st Mate3. Shaun Biddulph (UK) 2nd Mate4. Gino Morelli (USA) Crew and co-designer5. Pete Melvin (USA) Crew and co-designer6. Peter Hogg (NZ) Crew7. Brian Thomson (UK) Crew8. Nick Moloney (AUS) Crew9. Helena Darvelid (SWE) Crew10. Peter Berry (UK) Crew11. Paul van Dyke (USA) Crew12. Chris Tibbs (UK) Crew