Biodiesel drives trimaran world record

EARTHRACE, a trimaran that runs on biodiesel and looks more like a Batmobile, has smashed the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by speedboat.

The €4m vessel, which runs on recycled cooking fat, knocked 14 days off the previous record, completing the journey in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes.

Among the key people to ensure the boat crossed the finishing line in the Spanish port of Sagunto was Adrian Erangey from Shanagary, Co Cork.

Adrian headed the ground crew, ensuring quick refuelling in the various port stops, as well as handling all the logistics of passage through the Panama and Suez Canals, and organising various miracle-quick repairs.

The boat travelled about 24,000 nautical miles fuelled by biodiesel.

Earthrace is a 24m tri-hull wavepiercer built in New Zealand. She set off from Spain on April 27 in an attempt to challenge the world record that has remained unbroken since 1998 when it was set by the British boat, Cable and Wireless Adventurer.

It was New Zealand skipper Pete Bethune’s second attempt at the record. He abandoned his first after a series of disasters.