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24.08.10

Oman Air Majan smashes Round Britain and Ireland single handed record

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At 09:03:55 GMT today (24/08/10) skipper Sidney Gavignet (FRA) onboard OMAN AIR MAJAN crossed the finish line off Lizard Point, Cornwall to smash the single handed Round Britain and Ireland record.  The A100 trimaran broke the existing record held by Thomas Coville by a massive 1 day 15 hours 30 minutes and 44 seconds.

Skipper Frenchman Sidney Gavignet needed to maintain an average speed over 11.86 knots in order to break the record. OMAN AIR MAJAN maintained an amazing average speed of XX knots for the 1,787 miles course. 

This incredible average speed has also meant that Sidney has beaten the existing fully crewed record time set by Steve Fosset onboard Paystation, by 1 hour and 7 seconds, the existing fully crewed record stands at 4 days 16 hours 9 minutes 54 seconds. 

The record has seen OMAN AIR MAJAN sail 1, 787 miles along one of the most challenging coastlines in the world.  Sidney has tackled huge low pressure systems and seen OMAN AIR MAJAN through squalls of over 40 knots. This is the first major test for OMAN AIR MAJAN and Sidney ahead of the single handed Route du Rhum race this coming November. 

New single handed Round Britain and Ireland record (subject to ratification by WSSRC)

Boat: Oman Air Majan

Skipper: Sidney Gavignet (FRA)

Time: 4 days, 15 hours, 9 minutes and 47 seconds (subject to ratification by WSSRC)

Average Speed: XX:XX knots

Distance miles: 1,787     

Previous record around Britain and Ireland, Non stop singlehanded   

Distance miles: 1787     

Set: August 2006     

Boat: Sodebo - 60 foot Trimaran

Record time: 6 days 6 hours 40 miniutes  31 seconds    

Average speed: 11.86 knots

http://www.sailspeedrecords.com

"I am incredibly happy, this record around British Isles is the cherry on the cake for all team at OMAN AIR MAJAN and Oman Sail. I’ve learnt so much from the boat. We made some good sail choices and I felt really happy with the setup onboard.  I still have a lot to improve, managing my sleep onboard making sure I eat enough to keep myself in the best possible shape for the challenge ahead.  The Route Du Rhum is going to be a huge race for us and I need to raise the level of my performance again for this event.  The record attempt was a massive challenge and I have enjoyed every minute of it.  Huge congratulations to the whole team we’ve done it!” Sidney Gavignet

 "The combination between Oman Air Majan and Sidney Gavignet is new & impressive. A huge well done from sunny Oman to Sidney and the superb technical & shore team behind him." David Graham CEO Oman Sail.

Reference marks of the West-east course chosen by OMAN AIR MAJAN

Total Distance: 1.785 miles

Departure Cape Lizard (49° 57,5N-5° 12 W) - Dover: 260 miles

Dover - North Sheltand /Muckle Flugga (60°52N-0°53W): 600 miles

North the Shetland - Flannan Isles/Northern Scotland: 300 miles

North Scotland - Fastnet (51°23N-9°36W): 420 miles

Fastnet - Scillies/Bishop Rock'n'roll (49°52N-6°27W): 160 miles

Scillies - Cape Lizard: 45 miles