British adventurer Neil McGrigor is sailing at Cowes this week while waiting for a weather window to attempt the Round Britain Powerboat world record. Neil has slashed both the under 30ft and 30-50ft powerboat records: the first by an impressive ten hours in a Revenger RIB, and the second by four hours. The attempt at the overall record would seem a natural progression: “We thought while we’re on a roll, we’ll just come back and just sweep the board with all the records” smiled Neil.

Although better known for his powerboating prowess than as a sailor, Neil is swapping his 51ft Blade Runner power boat for a Laser SB3 to race at Cowes. In fact, he is a sailor at heart. “My background is very much in sailing and sailing is my prime interest. Powerboats have been secondary until now. I haven’t had the time to put a logistical team together to attempt the Round Britain world record before. Now I have, so I’m polishing up the powerboating side.”

For his team of three, the attempt at the world record is more a mental than a physical challenge: “It’s all to do with mental agility really, that’s what has to keep us going because we will be out there 24hrs a day with no sleep and minimal food.” Tony Jenvy and Jeremy Watts will make up the other two-thirds of the potentially record-breaking team.

Meanwhile, at Skandia Cowes week, Neil’s Laser SB3Boois lying 22ndoverall in her class. When the week is over he and his powerboat team will resume the wait for suitable weather to attempt the record.