Solo Around Australia Record Attempt
6500nm around Australia Non Stop
In May 2009, Ian Thomson will set off to break the current Solo Around Australia Record for monohulls which stands at 68 Days 8 Hours and 30 minutes set by David Beard aboard the 35ft Skaffie II.
After the 2009 Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, Ian will return to Brisbane to make final arrangements before departing sometime in early May from the fairway marker at Caloundra. The new target is 50 days.
Around Australia Record Course - On 22nd May 2001 the World Sailing Speed Record Council (http://www.sailspeedrecords.com) has set a new rule 10M.
"A skipper may nominate any starting/finishing point on the Australian mainland that is acceptable to the WSSRC. The vessel may sail either way around the continent as defined. The course shall enclose Sydney Heads, Great Barrier Reef, Cape York and the Thursday Islands group, Cobourg Peninsula, Melville and Bathurst Islands, North West Cape, Cape Leeuwin, South East Cape (Tasmania)."
The Current Records held are:
Outright Record - Geronimo - 17 Days, 12 hours, 57 minutes 5 Seconds. (110ft Tri)
Full Crewed Multihull - Geronimo - 17 Days, 12 Hours, 57 Minutes 5 Seconds. (100ft Tri)
Solo Multihull - No Record has been attempted
Full Crewed Monohull - KAZ - 37 Days, 1 hour, 23 Minutes, 7 Seconds (53ft Mono)
Solo Monohull - Skaffie II - 68 Days, 8 Hours, 30 minutes (35ft Mono) NB: Not ratified by WSSRC