SAILING COLUMN: The New Year is certain to be off to a flying start within weeks for Damian Foxall, Ireland's leading offshore yachtsman. Round-the-world adventurer Steve Fossett announced the Kerryman as a key member of his forthcoming attempt to break the record, set two years ago, for circumnavigating the globe.
The crew of the 125-foot maxi catamaran Cheyenne will be attempting to break the record of 64 days, eight hours, 37 minutes and 24 seconds set by French yachtsman Bruno Peyron. All now depends on a suitable weather window in the Atlantic and meteorologists expect it will be at least two weeks before such a pattern develops.
For Foxall, this voyage marks a return to the scene of his latest achievement, when he placed third with Karine Fauconnier on board their 60-foot trimaran Sergio Tachinni during the recent Transat Jacques Vabres.
The pair were the fastest entry in the fleet, averaging 17.58 for the 5,500-mile race. Ellen MacArthur with Alan Gautier placed ninth.
Fossett (59) can certainly expect to be listed in the history books among the world's greatest adventurers. His first solo balloon flight around the world was an aviation milestone and he has flown faster than anyone by manned balloon. His first sailing record was around Ireland in September 1993 on his trimaran Lakota.
Success on this latest record attempt would be the pinnacle of achievement for his sailing programme, which in the last 10 years has set 21 official world records, 14 of which stand, plus nine distance-race records, eight of which remain unbroken.
Meanwhile, relatively light airs for the 628-mile course ruled out records in the 59th annual Sydney to Hobart race, which ended this week. The race is notorious for rough weather, and recent tragedies had resulted in the slip to a lean 58-boat fleet for the 2003 event.
The most successful yacht in the fleet was the Beneteau 40.7 First National Real Estate, co-skippered by Michael Spies and Peter Johnston. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia entry won both IMS and IRC prizes for the fastest entry competing under both handicap systems and took the overall trophy.
Grant Wharrington brought his super-maxi Skandia across the finish line to win line honours after a close battle with rival Kiwi 98-footer Zana. The pair had been locked in a duel for 30 miles and were separated by just 14 minutes at the finish.
Ludde Ingvall's new maxi Nicorette was one of several retirals after the Finnish ocean-racing veteran's entry suffered structural damage in rough seas in the Bass Strait in the closing stages of the race.
