Spain’s VO70 “MoviStar” breaks the World Sailing Speed Record

Speed records are ratified by the World Speed Sailing Record Council after receiving all the information from the Volvo Ocean Race, the organisation that monitors the boat’s position 24 hours a day.

The current world speed record holder for single hull sailing is held by a boat twice the length of the MoviStar: the 140 foot Mari Cha IV, owned and skippered by Britain’s Robert Miller. The British boat, which differs as well in that it carried 24 men aboard (in comparison to the MoviStar 10), set the record on October 7, 2003, covering 525,7 miles over 24 hours, averaging 21,9 knots.

The next challenge: Cape Horn

More adventure and excitement awaits the MoviStar team as they pass through one of the most treacherous passages of the world of sailing: Cape Horn. Known as “the End of the World”, the Cape is located on the Southernmost extreme of South America, being for many years the only passage through the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, until the opening of the Panama Canal. Baptized by the Dutch navigator Willem Schouten in 1616 in honour of his home town of Hoorn, the Cape boasts an impressive mantle of rock over 400 meters high and sharp cliffs topped off by a lighthouse. Aside sits a monument to all the sailors that have lost their lives in the attempt to navigate through.

Although Bekking has already made the passage on various occasions, he knows that it must be approached with respect. “Our trip to Wellington was supposed to be uncomplicated, but we encountered tough conditions in sea and wind. Now with the speed record behind us, our team is eager to take on the next challenge” notes Bekking.

Passing through parallels 42 to 55, the team will soon reach this unique spot, a goal in itself for many sailors such as offshore helmsman Iker Martínez “despite all the technology and advancements that come with modern day racing, you’re up against the whims of the elements. We hope to encounter good conditions and carry on the journey without complications”.

“From Wellington to Cape Horn the MoviStar will cover 4.300 nautical miles – notes Pedro Campos – followed by an additional 2.400 miles to the port of Rio de Janeiro, for a total journey of 6.700 miles non stop from New Zealand”.

In closing, Campos shared the sense of expectation “while each mile means another notch in our belt for experience, it takes us one step closer to one of the most important moments of the project, the arrival to Galicia, Spain.”

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