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K1W1 · 09-01-2007, 12:43 AM

Hi,

I found the article below when reading the news from the Motherland

"The New Zealand Earthrace crew will try again early next year to tackle their world speed record attempt.

The team of four will leave from Spain mid-February on a mission to beat the 75-day record to circumnavigate the world.

Earthrace is trying to beat the record set by British diesel-powered boat Cable & Wireless in 1998, which travelled 24,382 nautical miles in 74 days, 20 hours, 58 minutes.

Structural damage and a fatal high-sea collision with a fishing boat 22km off the Guatemalan coast scuppered the trimaran crew's last attempt.

Skipper and former Hamilton man Pete Bethune described this year's attempt as "bloody hard" and a "violent experience" but was always keen to try and beat the record again.

Although the 24-metre trimaran would still be powered by biofuels, next year's theme would be carbon neutral - reducing CO2 outputs as much as possible and balancing what was left through purchasing carbon offsets.

Mr Bethune, who leaves for Europe in two weeks, said many businesses in Europe had already adopted the method and he believed Kiwis should start to do it too.

Although he and his wife Sharyn nearly went broke funding the last race - it set them back $750,000 - he was expecting next year's race to be easier on the pocket.

Holding public tours of the boat, at $5 a pop, not only helped fund the adventure but also spread the environmental message.

"We mortgaged the house too, but we're not complaining about it. It's just what it took to get the boat in the water . . . We still owe money but it's all long-term debt."

The boat will also make appearances during this year's Rugby World Cup which kicks off next Saturday (NZ time).

It will be in Edinburgh when the All Blacks play Scotland in pool play.

If the All Blacks top their pool and advance to the quarterfinals, the boat will be on show in Cardiff where the match will be played.

Then it will be taken to Paris for the semifinals and final. "

Sourced from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4185848a11.html

09-01-2007, 12:43 AM	#1
K1W1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: My Office Posts: 972	Earthrace 2008 Hi, I found the article below when reading the news from the Motherland "The New Zealand Earthrace crew will try again early next year to tackle their world speed record attempt. The team of four will leave from Spain mid-February on a mission to beat the 75-day record to circumnavigate the world. Earthrace is trying to beat the record set by British diesel-powered boat Cable & Wireless in 1998, which travelled 24,382 nautical miles in 74 days, 20 hours, 58 minutes. Structural damage and a fatal high-sea collision with a fishing boat 22km off the Guatemalan coast scuppered the trimaran crew's last attempt. Skipper and former Hamilton man Pete Bethune described this year's attempt as "bloody hard" and a "violent experience" but was always keen to try and beat the record again. Although the 24-metre trimaran would still be powered by biofuels, next year's theme would be carbon neutral - reducing CO2 outputs as much as possible and balancing what was left through purchasing carbon offsets. Mr Bethune, who leaves for Europe in two weeks, said many businesses in Europe had already adopted the method and he believed Kiwis should start to do it too. Although he and his wife Sharyn nearly went broke funding the last race - it set them back $750,000 - he was expecting next year's race to be easier on the pocket. Holding public tours of the boat, at $5 a pop, not only helped fund the adventure but also spread the environmental message. "We mortgaged the house too, but we're not complaining about it. It's just what it took to get the boat in the water . . . We still owe money but it's all long-term debt." The boat will also make appearances during this year's Rugby World Cup which kicks off next Saturday (NZ time). It will be in Edinburgh when the All Blacks play Scotland in pool play. If the All Blacks top their pool and advance to the quarterfinals, the boat will be on show in Cardiff where the match will be played. Then it will be taken to Paris for the semifinals and final. " Sourced from: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4185848a11.html __________________ Cheers, K1W1