ICAP Leopard, the 100ft super maxi yacht owned by Mike Slade, yesterday evening broke the transatlantic speed record held by luxury yacht Phocea. Finishing the 2,925 nautical mile crossing from New York to the Lizard, Cornwall, UK, in seven days, 19 hours and 21 minutes, ICAP Leopard shaved eight hours off the existing record, to claim her second world record in two years.
ICAP Leopard sailed at an average speed of 15.5 knots, and a top speed of 37.4 knots, to complete the Atlantic crossing. She crossed the finish line at the Lizard at 20:22:05 local BST last night, having started the record attempt off Ambrose Light, New York, at 00:01 GMT on Tuesday 27 May. The record she has broken, for a monohull yacht with power-assisted winches, was previously held by 246ft yacht Phocea who sailed the course in eight days, three hours and 29 minutes.
ICAP Leopard holds the record for the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, which she broke last August by an impressive nine hours. Upon ICAP Leopard’s arrival in the UK, Mike Slade plans to race the super yacht on the British circuit, competing in the Round Ireland Race and the JP Morgan Round the Island Race, where the maxi yacht made her debut last year. She will then compete in several European events over the Summer.
Record breaking crew: 1. Chris Sherlock – Boat Captain – Australia 2. Paul Stanbridge – Watch Leader/Driver – UK 3. Mark Thomas – Watch Leader/Driver – Australia 4. Ross Monson – Navigator – UK 5. Tim Sellars – Pitman – Australia 6. Zane Gills – Bowman – Australia 7. Paul Quinn – Bowman – New Zealand 8. Jonathan Carter – Bow Crew – Bermuda 9. Barnaby Henshaw Depledge – Trimmer – UK 10. Matthew Richardson – Trimmer – UK 11. Ben Morrison Jack – Trimmer – Australia 12. Gian Ahluwalia – Driver/Trimmer – Argentina Weather router: Roger Badham