• Home
• The Boat
• The Crew
• Records
• Media Info
• Archives
  • Press
  • Photo
• Virgin GlobalFlyer
• Gliding
• Aviation
• Links
• Contact

| back to PRESS Archives |

December 21st 1999

Skipper Steve Fossett Reflects on PlayStation'sTransAtlantic Record Attempt and Future Plans

21 December 1999 - Beaver Creek, Colorado, USA (including excerpts from Steve Fossett's article in The Daily Telegraph Saturday 18th December)

"We had already had a scare in the daylight when the bows went down and the rudders and one of the hulls came out of the water. The boat lurched around and we struggled to hold on, but we did. That was around 4pm on Thursday. An hour later it was dark. By 7pm we were screaming along at around 30-35 knots, with the mainsail double reefed and the solent jib set. The wind continued to build quickly from 45 knots until a gust of 62 knots hit us. No rain or snow accompanied it and there was no warning of it on the radar. Gino Morrelli, PlayStation's designer, was steering and few people in the world could have handled the situation better, if they could have handled it at all. As the squall ripped into us Gino pointed the boat directly downwind - there was nowhere else to go. It was wild."

"Talking to Gino later he thought that we might not come out of it and he wasn't alone thinking that. Raging water covered the boat. It was pitch black. I felt the bows dig in and the rudders were out of the water grabbing only air. PlayStation's fate hung in the balance; we were either going head over heels or we would recover. Fortunately, we came through but not before four mainsail battens were shattered as the wind slammed them against the lazy jacks ropes used to control the huge sail. At least it took some of the power out of the sail, though the damage effectively put an end to our record attempt. A depressing hour was spent wrestling the mainsail down in a 40 knot wind which continually tore it out of our grasp."

"In sailing you have to look at the disappointments, why they happened and how they could have been avoided. We learnt things out there. We learnt that PlayStation flies, topping 36 knots at one point last night. We recognise we have to be more proactive in moving gear around the boat to get the trim right and there are no prizes for carrying too much sail when it is howling. De-powering must be done early because once loads spiral out of control on a boat this powerful there is nothing ten men can do, except hold on. And hope."

"We pushed PlayStation to - and through - the red line and yet the only damage is the four battens. On the one hand it was enough to end our attack on the record, and on the other, modest damage for an episode which could have destroyed lesser machines."

What now? Looking to the next steps of an ambitious programme, Steve has already spoken to the crew and asked them to be ready to move PlayStation to Bermuda early in January (with the added possibility of a Newport-Bermuda World Record Attempt). From Bermuda they hope to sail across on a more southerly Atlantic route to the Azores and then on to Southampton (UK) to
continue preparations for record attempts from the UK. Steve and his team still plan to make an attempt on the TransAtlantic record this coming summer (June/July) - before preparations continue for °·the RACE° around the world starting December 31, 2000.

"On balance I do feel both pragmatic about today and confident about the future. Other extreme machines are being built to attack the same records that we are after. We have been working PlayStation for nearly 12 months and clearly we have still got stacks to learn."

"Others may feel that they can launch one day and go record breaking the next without any of the learning curve agonies. They may be right. On the other hand we may be a year ahead of the game."

December 17th 1999 - 14.00GMT

The Wild Night that Stopped Steve Fossett and his Crew on PlayStation

The Dramatic Events Unfold

E-mail Sent Directly from the Boat to Mission Control from British Crew Member & Media Operator Andrew Preece:

"Firstly we are all ok but we took a hammering last night. we'd already had a scare when the bows went down, the rudders came out of the water and the boat slewed around throwing a few people forward. It got dark at about 5pm local time and by 7pm the wind was in the mid 30s and we were sailing along making good speed and hitting the mid 30s on the boat speed with two reefs
and a solent jib. the wind then increased to 45 and we were winding in the solent jib when without warning it gusted 60 plus (I saw 62 on the true wind speed). Gino Morelli was steering and by this time we'd been bearing away, bearing away and we were dead downwind with no options as the boat was covered in a cloud of spray and the bows were going down again. Gino did a
fantastic job of stopping us capsizing but as we went dead downwind the main slammed against the lazy jacks and broke at least four battens. we have spares but not enough so that was that. The wind was still in the high 40s as we were trying to clear up and since eight last night we have been beating into 25 to 35 to get to newport. It's now 0445 and we are about an hour away."

"As I said everyone is ok but we've been pummelled pretty hard and it's very cold beating into the 30 knot north westerly."

"We're all pretty disappointed but there's not a lot we can do and not a lot we could have done. we were being fairly cautious and not pushing too hard but the big one came in with no rain and didn't show up on the radar."

---

December 17th 1999 - 06.30GMT

Record Attempt Aborted - Broken Battens To Blame- 62 Knot Squall Dashes TranAtlantic Effort

Broken mainsail battens have forced Steve Fossett and PlayStation to abandon their TranAtlantic record attempt approximately 8 Hours into the trial. A message was received at PlayStation Mission Control shortly after 04.00GMT, in which skipper Fossett advised:

"Mainsail battens were broken in a 62 knot squall. PlayStation is proceeding Newport Rhode Island. Sufficient spare battens are not available, so there are no plans to restart this TransAtlantic Record Attempt."

Subsequent to sending this message, PlayStation has been proceeding on a North-North-Westerly heading, additional information will be provided as soon as possible on this site.

PlayStation takes the start at Ambrose Light 16/12/99 19.02GMT

---

December 16th 1999 - 14.22GMT

PlayStation Still 'Go' for TransAtlantic Record Departure Today, 16 December

Steve Fossett's PlayStation Maxi Catamaran Attacks Classic Sailing Record

HISTORIC U.S. TO U.K. OCEAN CROSSING STARTS THURSDAY

(New York Harbour)-December 16, 1999-Record setting American yachtsman, balloonist and adventurer Steve Fossett and his 9-man crew aboard the 105-foot maxi-catamaran PlayStation begin an historic voyage today, aimed at shattering the TransAtlantic speed sailing record between New York and England.

The current record of six days, 13 hours, three minutes and 32 seconds is held by Frenchman Serge Madec (Jet Services V). The original 1905 record of 12 days, by the schooner Atlantic, stood for 75 years. Between 1980 and 1990 it was broken seven times. Today, in the world's fastest sailboat, in an endurance race against time, distance, and the elements, PlayStation skipper Fossett and his experienced crew are challenging the nine-year-old maritime benchmark.

The team is comprised of five Americans, two Australians, one New Zealander, and two Britons.Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson, a TransAtlantic record-setter via hot air balloon and powerboat, had been counted among the crew until yesterday, when he had to withdraw from the attempt because of pressing business commitments. In 1998, Fossett, Branson and Per Lindstrand of Sweden attempted to circumnavigate the globe by balloon but halfway into the flight, on Christmas morning, failing winds forced the trio to ditch their craft off the coast of Hawaii.

Wind and weather pose equally unpredictable obstacles for sailors, and this week's climate conditions in the North Atlantic could determine if PlayStation's wintertime record-hunting expedition goes down in the books as the last world class sailing record of the 20th Century.

The TransAtlantic Crew:
Steve Fossett (USA) Skipper Stan Honey (USA) Navigator
Brian Thompson (GB) Watch Leader Ben Wright (AUS) Watch Leader
Mark Callahan (AUS) Crew Pete Melvin (USA) Crew
Peter Hogg (NZ) Crew Andrew Preece (GB) Crew/Camera
Gino Morrelli (USA) Crew David Scully (USA) Crew

WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY:
WHO: Skipper Steve Fossett and crew of his 105 foot Catamaran PLAYSTATION
WHAT: Attack on TransAtlantic Record Departure
WHEN: Thursday 16 December a.m.
WHERE: Chelsea Piers Pier 60 W23rd Street and Hudson River

AGENDA:
Informal Photo Opportunity and Q & A 0930
Push Back from Dock at 1000
Motor/Sail to Ambrose Light Area (Photo boat provided-departs with cat)
Test Winds in area of Lighthouse
Estimated Start Time Across the Line 1300

Skipper Steve Fossett advised:

"Estimated Start Time at Ambrose Light is 1300 EST Thursday. This means 1000 EST off the dock at Chelsea Piers to motor 2 hours out and 1 hour to test winds."

"This is a good weather pattern for our record attempt - if the wind forecasts are correct we are cautiously optimistic for some very good high mileage days and a strong run at the record."

Prior to departure Steve Fossett, Navigator Stan Honey and Designers Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin (both crew members) will be available for photo opportunities and to answer media questions at 0930 at Chelsea Piers.

New York based media are invited to go on our press boat, 'Elsie K Princess', which will follow PlayStation to the start line. She will be situated near PlayStation at Chelsea Piers. (Press boat contact Mark Greenberg Tel. 973 701 8746)

Additional detailed information and high resolution action photos of PlayStation taken in New York City (free reproduction for news purposes but please use photo credits for Mark Greenberg or Thierry Boccon-Gibod) can be found on: www playstation-europe.com/challenge

PlayStation Still 'Go' for TransAtlantic Record Departure Thursday Morning, 16 December

- Informal Photo Opportunity and Q & A 0930
- Push Back from Dock at 1000
- Motor/Sail to Ambrose Light Area
- Test Winds
- Estimated Start Time 1300

Skipper Steve Fossett advised "Estimated Start Time at Ambrose Light is 1300 EST Thursday. This means 1000 EST off the dock at Chelsea Piers to motor 2 hours out and 1 hour to test winds."

"This is a good weather pattern for our record attempt - if the wind forecasts are correct we are cautiously optimistic for some very good high mileage days and a strong run at the record."

Prior to departure Steve Fossett, Navigator Stan Honey and Designers Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin will be available for photo opportunities and to answer media questions at 0930 at Chelsea Piers.

New York based media are invited to go on our press boat, 'Elsie K Princess', which will follow PlayStation to the start line. She will be situated near PlayStation at Chelsea Piers. (Press boat contact Mark Greenberg Tel. 973 701 8746)

PlayStation Still 'Go' for TransAtlantic Record Departure Thursday 16 December

Richard Branson Unable to Join Attempt

New York City 15 December 1999: PlayStation skipper Steve Fossett advised that the big catamaran would leave the friendly confines of New York City's Chelsea Piers as soon as possible after first light Thursday, staging near the start line until the expected weather moves through for a probable late morning/midday passing of the mark at Ambrose Light in New York Harbour.

Steve and his 9 man crew expect a following wind as they attack the North Atlantic and Serge Medec's 9 year old record.

TransAtlantic hotair balloon and powerboat record setter Richard Branson - previously announced as crew - had to withdraw from the attempt late on Tuesday because of pressing business commitments.

"It is with great sadness that I am unable to participate with Steve Fossett in the TransAtlantic Record Attempt Thursday. Having announced this week our bid for the National Lottery to be turned into the People's Lottery, I need to stay behind to concentrate on this vital project and other important ventures. I wish Steve and the PlayStation team all the best, and if for some reason they are not successful this time, I look forward to joining them in the Spring for another attempt."

New York based media are invited to join us dockside early Thursday for an informal photo opportunity and to go on our press boat, 'Elsie K Princess', which will follow PlayStation to the start line. She will be situated near PlayStation at Chelsea Piers. (Press boat contact Mark Greenberg Tel. 973 701 8746)

It's Back On!

PlayStation 'Code Green' for a Thursday RECORD Departure

Skipper Steve Fossett advised "We did not set out on the delivery Monday because of the forecast of TransAtlantic Record potential winds startingThursday.

We plan to leave Chelsea Piers early Thursday morning (16 Dec) and cross the start line at Ambrose Light when the winds fill in mid-day. The forecast is for adequate winds across the Atlantic, but very much behind us. We hope PlayStation is a fast enough boat to offset the less than ideal wind directions."

PlayStation maxi-cat still on target for NYC departure - either Monday 13th or Tuesday 14th December.

Skipper Steve Fossett to his crew on standby:

"We are satisfied with the downstream pattern. The departure now depends on suitable winds out of NYC which may be very light.

We should be ready to shove off the dock at 10 am Monday, but we may delay until enough wind is available in the afternoon or Tuesday morning. Stan and I will call the boat as soon as we have the forecast Monday morning (about 7 am) to advise if there is a delay.

Steve"

Delivery Departure Delayed to Monday 13 December

TransAtlantic ferry run still aims to get big cat to England for Christmas.

Skipper Steve Fossett advises:
"The Low intensified and we prefer not to sail through the forecasted 35-50 kts. By departing Monday the winds south of the Low will be diminishing by the time we get there, but will still be interesting. Could be slow coming
out of NYC, though.
Steve"

December 11th 1999 - 17.02GMT

Good News, Bad News

Projected Departure ex-NYC Sunday 12 Dec

Code Green for Delivery, but 'Red Light' for Record Attempt

Following 6 weeks of frustration - watching departure weather patterns turn unsuitable - skipper Steve Fossett had good news and bad news for PlayStation's crew Friday midday from New York (1630GMT):

"Low Pressure has decisively blocked the Great Circle Route to England next week. We're out of time to wait for a TransAtlantic record pattern and we have to get PlayStation to England for our Round the World attempt.

We plan to sail Southeast out of New York City to cross south of the Low. The route may carry us as far south as 30N latitude and add 600 miles to the course--no hope of a record. However, the following seas should give us good practice handling PlayStation in conditions like the Southern Ocean.

We anticipate a Sunday morning departure, so let's get to New York.

Cheers, Steve"

TransAtlantic hot air balloon and powerboat record-setter Richard Branson, who made the Philadelphia to New York training run in October, had planned to be part of the eleven-man record crew. He will not participate in the delivery voyage this month, but reconfirmed his commitment to the team and his desire to be part of the revised programme to attack the TransAtlantic mark later in the year 2000.

CODE YELLOW - Projected headwinds delay departure

Skipper Steve Fossett advised "The Low we wanted for a Saturday departure is expected to turn into a Gale and low pressure will develop very south in mid-Atlantic which would give us headwinds. Not an acceptable pattern.

Looks like we will have one more pattern to consider before closing up for
Christmas: Departure between Monday evening Dec 13 and Wednesday Dec 15.

Will advise soon if we have an opportunity to practice before then."

Steve

PlayStation gets Green Light for Weekend Departure from NYC:

- either for TransAt record attempt or US-UK 'delivery' voyage

- additional weather information expected Wednesday

Skipper Steve Fossett confirmed to the crew to make their way to NYC saying:
"This is our best opportunity in sight and we are very likely to start. We are working with Saturday as the most probable day but be prepared for a start as early as Friday morning.

We should know tomorrow (Wednesday) whether this pattern offers the potential of a TransAtlantic record - or if we will make this a 'delivery' trip."

Code Yellow

PlayStation still 'Code Yellow' - December 11 - 13 departure most likely

Keeping a close watch on developing weather patterns, Skipper Steve Fossett and PlayStation's permanant crew met Sunday to consider whether or not a 1999 TransAt record attempt was still feasible.

Steve advises: "We are Code Yellow for a departure between Dec 11 and Dec 13. A new low pressure system is due to form in the midwestern U.S. and track across the East Coast, which represents a more normal development for a departure opportunity.

We held a strategy meeting in NYC today (Sunday 5 December) which included Brian, Ben, Mark, and by telephone Stan, Chris Bedford and Tom Mattus (Commanders Weather). We decided:

1. We should make every effort to get PlayStation to England before Christmas. January is too late to properly set up for a Round the World attempt this season, and the RTW record is our number one goal. If we don't have a TransAt record weather pattern, we are likely to do a 'delivery', delaying the TransAt attempt until after the (Q 1 '00) RTW - ie May/June.

2. A delivery requires only a safe weather pattern for a seaman-like sailing trip of about 10 days. Criteria include sailing south of all lows and north of the highs, in order to reduce the risk of getting caught in a storm. This pattern is available now and we presume will also be available this coming weekend.

3. The deadline for starting a TransAtlantic record attempt before Christmas is December 16 and for a delivery it is Dec 13. So we are likely to go as this next low pressure system passes.

4. This Code Yellow refers to the prospect of a Record Attempt. If we are going on a 'delivery' and not a record attempt, we will disclose that fact as soom as possible.

5. Crew have been requested to plan to arrive in NYC later this week. We should do at least one training day before the departure."

Cheers, Steve

Code Yellow

There is a parade of low pressure systems creating several possibilities for
a start. The first possibility for Dec 6 to 7 is now rejected. We hope to
find a good opportunity in the period Dec 8 to 11.

December 2nd - 17.52GMT

Code Yellow

Possibility of a departure between Tuesday Dec 7 and Thursday Dec 9. It's still early to determine whether there will be sufficient wind for the first 2 days, but if there is we won't pass up the opportunity.

November 30th - 20.12GMT

Continued Code Red

Skipper Steve Fossett said " The next weather system to consider reaches New York on Monday December 6."

"It is too early to judge whether it is a suitable pattern, so we remain on Code Red. An evaluation of this window will follow tomorrow or the next day."

PlayStation returns to code RED. Next window 7-10 days away.

Maxi -catamaran PlayStation and her crew - on standby in NY for an attack on the TransAtlantic Record - have again been stood down due to a deteriorating weather pattern. In Skipper Steve Fossett's words "This weather window has failed. Tropical low pressure working its way up from Puerto Rico is pushing a ridge into our course resulting in slow winds after the first day. We would also run the risk of the low catching up to us, giving us headwinds.

We expect the next weather pattern to evaluate to be 7 to 10 days out.

Is this frustrating, or what?"

Possible Departure window narrows to: Sunday Nov 28 through Monday Nov 29

With earliest away from the dock daybreak Nov 28, we will make a 'go / no-go' decision by Friday morning (Pacific coast USA time - mid afternoon GMT)

So look for either a Code Redor Code Green on this site Friday.

Crew members are planning to travel to NYC Friday and Saturday.

PlayStation Code Yellow for TransAt Record Departure 27-30 November

Maxi-catamaran PlayStation and her crew are on Code Yellow readiness status for a departure between Saturday afternoon Nov 27 and Tuesday Nov 30.

Skipper Steve Fossett said "Both our meteorologist George Caras and
consulting meteorologist Chris Bedford believe the developing weather pattern is close to what we want. We would start with a strong W or NW wind (think 600 mile day), but will be struggling somewhat with wind angles behind us as we approach England. Nothing's perfect."

He also advised "This of course is a long range forecast, so be prepared for a shift in departure days or the possibility of a disappointment in the pattern development."

Please refer to this website for regular updates

No likely departure over the next week. Maxi-cat team and 11-man crew still planning record attack later in November.

Skipper Steve Fossett of PlayStation - the world's fastest ocean sailing yacht - is still planning a November assault on the TransAtlantic sailing record (6 days, 13 hrs, 3 minutes, 32 secs) but he has advised that that a suitable 'weather window' is unlikely to open over the next week. Steve elaborated yesterday on the weather patterns facing the attempt on the 9-year old record:

"We considered a departure possibility for Wednesday Nov 17 at daybreak. Ultimately we decided the opportunity was too thin and could easily leave us with too little wind in mid-Atlantic and again on the approach to Ireland.
We're still holding out for record conditions.

The European Block is forecast to break down in a week to ten days, giving hope of a solid possibility in that time period. I sure hope so, because the days are becoming progressively shorter and it's not going to be easy driving PlayStation in the dark."

Steve Fossett

Steve Fossett's PLAYSTATION continues 'CODE RED' for TransAtlantic departure. - 10:10 GMT Thursday November 10th, 1999

No likely departure over the next week. Maxi-cat team and 11-man crew still planning record attack later in November.

Skipper Steve Fossett of PlayStation - the world's fastest ocean sailing yacht - is still plan