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Slow Orange struggles with pace

Orange has to increase its average speed to 13 knots to break the record

COWES, Isle of Wight, England -- The crew of Orange spent a frustrating second night at sea on their Round Britain record attempt, sailing only 52 miles in 12 hours, putting them 70 miles behind the record pace set in 1994.

However, a low pressure system is approaching from the southwest with winds up to 40 knots, which should propel them past Ireland at high speed towards their next waypoint of St Kilda at the top of Scotland.

The 34m (100ft) maxi-catamaran needs to average at least 13 knots to break the existing record set in 1994 by American sailor and balloonist Steve Fossett onboard his 18.28m (60ft) trimaran Lakota with five crew in 5 days, 21 hours, 5 minutes and 27 seconds, at an average speed of 12.67 knots.

"We weren't expecting to sail any faster right now as the first part of the course is the slowest, " said Orange skipper Bruno Peyron.

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"There is nothing to envy on this record compared to ocean crossings and southern ocean sailing," said Peyron.

"It is a difficult course...[and it is] impossible to have favourable winds all the time."

Peyron said that the atmosphere was good onboard.

"We're all really happy to be sailing together. One watch follows another perfectly naturally: 4 guys on deck, 4 on stand-by and 4 off-watch, par for the course on a circumnavigation."

British co-skipper Neal McDonald added: "Sailing on Orange is a lot more pleasant than being on a Volvo 60. As a boat it is a lot more logical.

Cruising is how I would describe sailing along at 19 knots on Orange, whilst aboard a V60 it would be much harder work, pushing the loads around and working the boat to its limit."

Orange must complete the circumnavigation and cross the finish line off Ventnor on the Isle of Wight before 06:04 am on local time on August 18.