Line Honours to Mari-Cha IV in Rolex Transatlantic Challenge

Record breaking state of the art yacht, Mari-Cha IV, crossed the finish line off the Needles, UK, at 19:18:37* UTC this evening to take line honours in the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge.

Having already passed Lizard Point earlier today at 10:05:23* UTC to break Charlie Barr's 100 year old race record by more than 60 hours, the Mari-Cha IV team were visibly delighted with their second victory of the day.

Since leaving New York over nine days ago, the fleet have experienced some extremely tough conditions, including winds of more than 50 knots. On day 3 of the race, Mari-Cha IV sustained some serious damage to the headboard car on their mainsail and then subsequently to the mizzen luff track. This meant that the crew were unable to use the biggest sails and were left racing at just 80% capacity with their nearest rivals snapping at their heels.

Despite this setback, the international racing team onboard Mari-Cha IV began work, and 12 hours later - having had two crew members up each mast for hours at a time - Mari-Cha IV was back on track without having lost too many miles to their opponents. Within three days, not only did the team regain the lead, but also proceeded to maintain it for the remainder of the race.

Robert Miller, speaking from onboard Mari-Cha IV commented: "I am absolutely delighted to have crossed the line and to have won this historic race. To break the record earlier on today was fantastic, but after such a tough race we were determined to continue pushing and take line honours as well. The crew have been superb, working hard and sailing the boat with such great skill and the leadership qualities that Mike Sanderson (Helmsman) and Jef D'Etiveaud (Navigator / Project Manager) have shown throughout this race have been top notch - I have been proud to be a part of it."

Mike Sanderson commented: "After such a close battle across the Atlantic, it is a fantastic moment for us to have crossed the line first. We have battled back hard from the problems at the beginning of the race and the team have worked flat out to make sure we have not only stayed in contention, but also enabled us to regain the lead. Maximus have kept us all absolutely focused all the way - they have been pushing us hard and we have had no room for complacency. However, it is a reflection of the great team and our amazing boat that has meant we have maintained the lead right to the finish. We are all now looking forward to a cold beer and a good night's sleep, as I think we've deserved it - it has been a tough crossing!!

140 foot Mari-Cha IV's crew of 26 for this race included Robert Miller (Skipper / Owner), Mike 'Moose' Sanderson (Helmsman) and Jef D'Etiveaud (Navigator / Project Manager) as well as a host of international sailors. New additions to the team for this race included Lord Amherst and Sir Nigel Southward, commodore and vice-commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, England, respectively. Robert Miller was also joined onboard by two family members - Crown Prince Pavlos (Greece) who is married to Miller's middle daughter, Marie-Chantal, and Chris Getty, married to the eldest daughter, Pia.

The Rolex Transatlantic Challenge, which started off Ambrose Lighthouse at 14:10 EDT (19:10 BST) on Sunday 22nd May, has seen a fleet of the world's finest yachts race from New York eastward across the North Atlantic to the south coast of the UK and two finish lines: one off Cornwall's Lizard Point and the second at the Needles at the westermost end of the Isle of Wight.

* All records to be ratified by the World Speed Sailing Council.

More Information:

• www.transatlanticchallenge.org