Earthrace in the Atlantic

Earthrace, the biofuel-powered trimaran attempting to break the Round the World Powerboat Record, is in the Atlantic after crossing the start line off Valencia.

The boat, led by New Zealander Pete Bethune, left Sagunto on Friday and has covered 570 miles by the morning of Monday 28 April.

Before the start Pete, who auctioned off his home and sold his company to fund the building of the £1.5 million boat, says: "For the next 40 days we're going to be living on adrenaline.

"The crew have entered race mode and we have one thing on our minds - the world record.

"We are fully committed to beating the record, and we don't intend to leave anything to chance - the boat is fully geared up and weather conditions are optimum.

"There have been five attempts, including our own first attempt last year, since the current record was set in 1998 and we'll do everything we can to mark this tenth anniversary by beating it!"

Earthrace is heading east to the Azores, where it will stop for refuelling before heading to Puerto Rico.

Follow the crew's progress via the website at www.earthrace.net

Motor Boat and Yachting , Motor Boat and Yachting, 28 April 2008