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Fossett takes transatlantic record
SAN SALVADOR, Bahamas -- American adventurer Steve Fossett has cut more than 24 hours off the East to West Transatlantic sailing record. Fossett and his 12 crew sailed from Cadiz, Spain to the island of San Salvador, Bahamas in nine days and 12 hours, finishing on Monday. His yacht, the maxi catamaran PlayStation, followed the same route as Christopher Columbus in 1492. "It was technically very challenging. We had to sail at maximum efficiency down-wind virtually the entire distance," said Fossett. The previous record of 10 days 14 hours and 53 minutes was set by French sailor Bruno Peyron and New Zealander Grant Dalton in the 34m (110ft) catamaran Club Med in June 2000. To avoid a patch of light wind in the Atlantic, Fossett sailed further south than Club Med's route. "It certainly paid off, even if we did sail over 800 more miles across the water than the direct record course," Fossett said. PlayStation now holds transatlantic records for crossings both ways. In October 2001 the team set a new West-East Atlantic record, streaking from New York to the English Channel in 4 days, 17 hours and 28 minutes. Fossett now holds 10 of the 13 fastest outright ocean passage records recognized by the World Speed Sailing Records Council.
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