| see pictures of crew in Newport | see pictures of crew in action |
February 17th 2000 - 10.00GMT
Bermuda Triangles
Skipper Steve Fossett & Crew Continue Testing
16.3.00 Navigator Stan Honey reported from the ongoing 5 day test off Bermuda "Were into our second day of PlayStation practice, sailing in triangles off Bermuda. We sailed well to the north to find some light air to test our masthead reacher and masthead blade. The weather worked out just as we had hoped and we are getting some good testing."
The current plan is for PlayStation to remain at St George's, Bermuda until mid April, when a further series of tests will culminate in arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in preparation for a May attempt on Bruno Peyron's Miami-NY record.
The NY-Lizard TransAtlantic record attempt is
still planned for June.
February 10th 2000 - 13.00GMT
PlayStation and some of her crew are confirmed to stay in Bermuda until their next sailing training week beginning 27th February. They will then sail to Charleston, South Carolina where there will be further testing and development through until May.
Another TransAtlantic attempt, NY-UK, is planned for June 2000 after an attack on the Miami - NY record. PlayStation is then scheduled to be in Southampton, UK for the rest of the summer, testing and attempting other records. October, November and December will be taken up by preparations and pre-activities for The RACE which will start from Barcelona on 31st December 2000.
Meanwhile, Skipper Steve Fossett has taken a short break from his sailing exploits. He is attempting to break the Medium Airplane round the world record, in his own Cessna Citation X jet with two other pilots. The current record is 47 hours 43 minutes set by Edgar Kaiser in 1988.
Steve and his co-pilots, Darren Atkins and Alex Tai, are planning to depart on or around 16th February. Please refer to this website for regular updates.
January 25th 2000 - 20.30GMT
PlayStation plans delivery to Charleston
The estimated departure for the Bermuda to South Carolina run is Friday 28th January.
Please watch this web-site for further details.
January 17th 2000 - 20.30GMT
PlayStation Winter Plans Change Newport-Bermuda Record-Setter in Bermuda Steve Fossett's Maxi-Cat to Head for Charleston, South Carolina
Bermuda 17 January 2000: Skipper Steve Fossett advised today that the 105' catamaran PlayStation - already the world's fastest ocean sailing boat with the 24 Hour Record (May 1999) and now the holder of the classic Newport-Bermuda record (January 2000) - will not carry on across the Atlantic to her Southampton, UK home just yet, but will transit back to the USA east coast for additional intensive winter testing and development based in Charleston, South Carolina.
Steve Fossett commented earlier today:
"The Newport-Bermuda record run was terrific - we learn more every time
we go sailing We will work for the next several months from a base in Charleston,
sailing at least one week per month and continuing to refine the boat for the
rest of the winter. The next weather pattern lfor departure for Charleston looks
good for Sunday, January 23rd."
A definitive 2000 sailing schedule for PlayStation has yet to be announced, but she is expected to reach the UK in late spring.
January 14th 2000
- 08.30GMT
NEW NEWPORT - BERMUDA MARK SET BY PLAYSTATION
IN HIGH WINDS AND HUGE SEAS
St George's Bermuda 14 January 2000
38 Hours 35 Minutes 53 Seconds after leaving the rough waters of Newport Harbour in Rhode Island, USA in 35 kts of wind, Skipper Steve Fossett and his crew of 7 aboard the maxi-catamaran PlayStation arrived in Bermuda in even tougher conditions to set a new World Record (pending World Speed Sailing Record Council approval) for the classic Newport-Bermuda run.
Thje new record chops over 2 hours off of the previous mark - Fossett's own solo record of 40 Hours 51 Minutes.
Steve Fossett:
"What a ride. This was an excellent test of boat and crew. We hit very high
winds throughout the last 12 hours - generally over 40 kts - accompanied by very
rough seas. We reduced sail to the 3rd reef with no jib - the next step would
have been to take down the main completely and sail on the bare poles (wing mast
and boom) alone."
January 13th 2000 22.00GMT
PlayStation and crew still hope to set new Newport-Bermuda mark
Record run encounters heavy seas as team press on
With continued strong winds and large seas, the maxi-catamaran PlayStation continued on her course for the island of Bermuda. After a strong initial 24 hours, however, the pace has slowed. At 1800GMT Thursday Skipper Steve Fossett reported:
"Winds are are now over 35 knots, which slows us down because of the sea state. We have also been working through some gear problems for several hours, but we are pressing on. Our current estimate of the finish is just before 0400 Bermuda time - 0800GMT - right on the existing record."
January 13th 2000 17:45GMT
PlayStation On Course to Break Newport-Bermuda Record.
Thursday 13th January 2000At 1400 GMT PlayStation and her crew were 21 hours into their latest record attempt, and are well on course to break the 635 mile Newport-Bermuda record. The 105' maxi-cat, which left dockside at 1655GMT on Wednesday, is on schedule to beat skipper Steve Fossett's own solo time of 40 hours 51 minutes, set on the 60' trimaran Lakota in June 1999.
So far, the big catamaran and her crew of 8 have been averaging over 17 knots, covering 360 nautical miles over the first 21 hours.
In a report received by Mission Control directly from Steve Fossett onboard PlayStation at 1400 GMT today, things seemed to be going well:
"We are through the Gulf Stream and seas
have flattened out so it should be beautiful sailing throughout the day. Our
start was tense with 25 to 30 knots of wind while leaving the dock. The seas
were somewhat confused for the first 12 hours which slowed us down significantly.
We were worried that upon reaching the Gulf Stream at midnight we would encounter
gusty winds and steep
tall waves. That turned out to be a non event and we ended up putting more sail
to continue across."
To beat the record the deadline for reaching the
finish line at St George's Light, Bermuda is 0745 GMT on Friday morning and
at this stage, if the winds hold, PlayStation and her crew are looking
to cross it shortly after midnight tonight.
January 13th 2000 08:00GMT
The following report was rec'd from on-board PlayStation at 0726 GMT today:
NEWS FROM THE GULF STREAM - Steady Progress.
"PlayStation left Newport Wednesday 12 January at 1155 EST (1655 GMT), in a beautiful, blustery, cold Northwesterly. We had a nice sail in increasing seas and 25-35 knots. Peter cooked a great dinner, but swore it was his last (again).
We entered the Gulf Stream at about 0030 EST (00630 GMT) Thursday, and had a crew workout, shaking two reefs to get through a light spot and putting them in again 45 minutes later.
We are now sailing along in a beautiful night in the stream, broken clouds, 25 knots of wind on a broad reach. The seas are remarkably flat.
January 12th 2000 23.00GMT
PlayStation ENROUTE FROM NEWPORT TO BERMUDA
Departure at 11h55min20secs local time EST(Eastern Standard Time)/16h55min20secs GMT
12 January 2000 Newport, Rhode Island: After a day's departure delay due to excessive wind conditions, Steve Fossett and his 7 man crew aboard the 105' (32m) maxi-catamaran PlayStation lset sail from the harbour at Newport, Rhode Island just before midday Wednesday, January 12th en-route for St George's Light, Bermuda.
The record for Newport-Bermuda is currently held by Fossett himself at 40 hours 51 minutes and was set sailing solo aboard his 60' trimaran Lakota last June.
If all goes to plan, PlayStation will reach
Bermuda late Thursday, then continue (not on a record attempt) onwards across
the Atlantic to the Azores and then north to her European home port in Southampton
(UK) to begin preparations for a February or March attack on the 'Jules Verne
Trophy' - the 'Round the World Record currently held at 71 days by Olivier de
Kersauson and
crew on SportElec.
For additional information please see this website or contact:
January 11th 2000 10.00GMT
Strong Winds Halt PlayStation Record Attempt
Fossett and Crew Back on Standby
11.01.00 Newport RI, USA PlayStation and her crew are back on standby for a Newport-Bermuda record attempt/delivery. They were scheduled to leave Newport at 0100 local time on Tuesday 11th January, but strong winds prevented a start.
Skipper Steve Fossett explained: "We needed the wind to drop to 15 knots to get PlayStation out of its confined dock safely. We were pinned to the dock by winds of 20-25 knots. We waited from 11 pm to 3 am, but the wind stayed above 20 knots."
Mission Control spokesperson Kate Edge added: "This Newport-Bermuda weather window has now expired, so Steve and his crew will be consulting with our meteorologists on the next opportunity for departure."
Please refer to this website for regular updates.
January 10th 2000
PlayStation to sail early Tuesday a.m.
Weather Conditions are "GO" for a Newport - Bermuda Record Attempt.
10.01.00 Newport RI, USA Skipper Steve Fossett and his 7 man crew, aboard the 105' maxi-cat PlayStation, plan to set off on Tuesday 11th January 0100 local time (0600 GMT), aiming to break the Newport to Bermuda sailing record (currently held by the skipper himself, in a time of 40 hours 51 minutes, sailing solo on his 60' trimaran Lakota in June 1999).
Fossett predicted an exciting time ahead with excellent winds all the way to the finish line at St George's Light, Bermuda. "We should reach the 'North Wall' of the Gulf Stream at 1100 on Tuesday. It could be a bit treacherous going out right behind the cold front at night and into the Gulf Stream, potentially the roughest part of the attempt, with 17 ft seas and 30-40 knot winds forecast."
If all goes according to plan Steve, PlayStation and crew will not stop in Bermuda, but will carry onwards on the delivery to the Azores and then to Southampton (UK) where they will make preparations for a Trophee Jules Verne/'Round the World' record attempt in late February or early March.
PlayStation Crew
Steve Fossett (USA) Skipper
Stan Honey (USA) Navigator
Brian Thompson (GB) Watch Leader
Ben Wright (AUS) Watch Leader
Mark Callahan (AUS) Crew
David Scully (USA) Crew
Peter Hogg (NZ) Crew
Gino Morrelli (USA) Crew
Please refer to this website for regular updates during the record attempt.
January 8th 2000
Steve Fossett & PlayStation on Newport to Bermuda Run
Possible Record Attempt if Winds Allow
PlayStation and her crew plan to set off from Newport, Rhode Island early on Tuesday January 11th. If favourable wind conditions prevail they will attempt to break the Newport to Bermuda record, currently held by - Steve Fossett! Fossett broke the record in June 1999, sailing solo on his 60 ft trimaran Lakota in a time of 40 hours 51 minutes.
Fossett commented on the conditions. "We plan to go with the front currently forecast for 5 am Tuesday. Right now this pattern offers record potential, but if the winds deteriorate we are still likely to go as a delivery."
Steve, PlayStation and crew will then dock briefly in Bermuda, and get a new forecast before the Atlantic delivery to the Azores and onward to Southampton (UK), from where they will make preparations for a Jules Verne record attempt in late February or March.