Inter-island sailing record smashed by super yachts

The island (Guernsey to Jersey) sailing record is smashed during the LCF Rothschild Gitana Challenge © Tim Feak Photography

Two of the world’s fastest multi-hulled yachts have yesterday smashed the inter-island (Guernsey / Jersey) sailing record in the inaugural LCF Rothshchild Challenge.

The current record of two hours and 14 minutes was sliced in half by both Gitana X and Gitana X1.

The fastest crossing of 55 minutes and 21 seconds was recorded by Gitana X, skippered by Thierry Duprey du Vorsent with Gitana XI only 11 seconds behind this time.

The course distance was approximately 25 nautical miles from the Castle Emplacement in St Peter Port, Guernsey to the leading line into St Helier Harbour, Jersey. The yacht which recorded the lowest time in either direction was awarded the LCF Rothschild Challenge Cup.

The yachts were blessed with near perfect conditions and reached a top speed of 35 kts.

The return journey to St Peter Port was the slower leg with both yachts sailing on a tight reach. Gitana X made the return crossing in one hour, nine minutes and 58 seconds, and Gitana X1 in 1 hour, 20 minutes and 42 seconds.

Stuart Perfitt, Marketing Director of LCF Edmund de Rothschild who was aboard the winning yacht said; ‘These yachts are the cutting edge of sail-powered machines. Sailing with Thierry and his crew today has not only been a privilege but also a truly unforgettable experience.

‘Now the fastest record has been established by a Formula 1 racer of the sea, I hope it will entice other local, national or international yachtsmen to have a go at challenging the sailing speed and time between the islands.’

The yachts are currently taking part in The ORMA World Multihull Championship 2005 Grand Prix and arrived in Guernsey on Monday before competing in their final European Grand Prix at the end of this month. In November both yachts will compete in the celebrated Transat Jacque Vabres - a 5,300 mile race from Le Havre to Brazil.