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SEAHOUND
V
This remarkable endurance race crew and well prepared
Scorpion RIB who smashed the Round
British Isles Record in July of last
year (2005) have now rewritten the record books for the London to
Monte Carlo world record. This July saw once again the intrepid crew
assemble to knock a remarkable 2hrs off the previous fastest boat
to complete this offshore passage
On Saturday 22 July at 22.22 hours the crew of Seahound V, a 30ft
RIB, crossed the finish line at Monte Carlo to set a new overall London
to Monte Carlo World Record at 61 hours 11 minutes.
Skipper Chris Strickland said, "We are the
third boat
ever to have attempted this record and we are ecstatic to hold the
overall
record. This route is notoriously challenging and is testing on both
the
boat and the crew. Logistically we have been planning our route and
re-fuelling stops since September 2005 so lots of work has gone on
behind
the scenes.
Timing the weather is a crucial. We travelled through three
weather regions and they all had to be favourable.There's only two
months
of the year when this attempt is possible and even then you are not
guaranteed the perfect sea state. It's great to have taken on a massive
challenge and come out on top."
THE TEAM
Chris Strickland (Boldre, New Forest)
Skipper and Owner Chris Strickland is a familiar face in the UK powerboat scene
and has been involved with boats of all types for many years.
Chris has raced
RIBS for the past 10 years, is the Chairman of BIBOA (British Inflatable Boat
Owners Association) and is heavily involved in the safety work at RYA Powerboat
National Championship events.
He was also part of the successful
Round Britain Record Team in 2002 and last year cruised Seahound to the Island
of St Kilda (Outer Hebrides) as part of a work up to this World Record attempt.
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John
Puddifoot (Sway,
Hants)
John is the Powerboat Racing Manager of the RYA (Royal Yachting Association)
and has been involved in all types of offshore powerboat racing for
the past 10 years. As well as being an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor and
Examiner John currently holds the world record for circumnavigating
the Isle of Wight at 79mph, was RIB F2 National Champion in 2002 and
2004, took part in the first ever RIB race around Scotland in 1990
and holds a gold star for exceeding 100mph on Lake Windemere.
Jan Falkowski (London)
is well known for his endurance RIB journeys and RIB racing. Crossing the Atlantic
three times in a RIB, Jan holds the world record for the fastest crossing
of the Atlantic with his crewmate Alan Priddy. He was a member of the Hot
Lemon crew when they took the records for ‘Around Britain’ in
both the under 30ft Class and the 30ft to 50ft Class. Now racing in Europe
with Powerboat P1 Jan is leading the Supersport class but also finds time
for endurance challenges.
Gordon Compton (Southampton, Hants)
Gordon is a highly experienced member of the safety boat team present
at many powerboat races and events in the UK. Gordon’s exploits
are not limited to the seas and he is a keen climber, recently completing
an expedition to climb Kala Pattar (the Black Rock) standing at 5623
metres. Gordon has considerable experience in long distance cruising,
which includes taking his own boat to St Kilda in 2004, and brings
with him engineering and mechanical skills.
Scorpion RIBS (Lymington)
Builders of quality high performance leisure RIBS. Scorpion
RIBS have been the first choice of other record breakers and endurance
expeditions to Alaska, Africa and the Arctic Circle.
See: www.scorpionribs.com
July 2006
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