While the speed boffins at the UIM (Union International Motonautique) crunch numbers, Alan Priddy and his three crew are celebrating in Cardiff having broken the world record for a powerboat crossing of the Atlantic. The passage, from New York to The Lizard, was completed in 248 hours, 47 minutes.

Priddy’s original intention was to take on the powered crossing record (as distinct from the powerboat record) from New York to Horta, still held by Jock Wishart’s Cable and Wireless Adventurer. Unfortunately, while closing on the Azores, the 10m (33ft) Spirit of Cardiff became embroiled between two converging storms and the skipper had no choice but to back off, giving up on the powered record.

Another attempt was planned from Horta to the Straits of Gibraltar but after their serious 24-hour mauling approaching Horta, Priddy decided to bin the attempt and instead keep their scheduled Saturday 2 June arrival date with the City of Cardiff. The Atlantic powerboat crossing record was theirs for the taking.

Mayor Russell Goodway particularly wanted Spirit of Cardiff there on 2 June because the date marked the official opening of the Cardiff Barrage.

Next on the Priddy calendar is a record-breaking RIB circumnavigation. Spirit has a Ribtec hull designed by Alastair Cameron and constructed by Northshore Composites, with Henshaw Inflatables providing the tubes, and she was designed for circumnavigation. Her Yamaha turbo-diesel powerplant gives her 240hp, cruising at 20kn and maxxed out at 30kn, and a range of 3,600nm.

Our congratulations on this achievement and our best wishes for future endeavours go to the crew of four:Alan Priddy, 48, Hayling Island, SkipperJan Falkowski, 40, London, 2icSteve Lloyd, 48, Southampton, Maintenance and LogisticsClive Tully, 48, Norwich, Journalist