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May 22nd 2000 - 14.44 GMT
PlayStation Completes TransAtlantic
- Time 181 Hrs 38 Mins
No Record But Fast, Successful Crossing - Fossett Pleased
Start Time Ambrose Light, New
York 23.36 GMT 14 May 2000
Finish Time Lizard Point,
UK 13.14 GMT 22 May 2000
Elapsed Time 7 days
13 hours 38 mins 6 secs
Mission Control, UK 22 May 2000 Skipper Steve Fossett's Maxi Catamaran PlayStation with her crew of 13 passed the TransAtlantic finish line at Lizard Point, Cornwall, UK at 1314 GMT today, completing 7 1/2 days of high speed sailing in a wide variety of conditions and seas - including traversing the Newfoundland ice fields (total passage time 181 hours 38 mins 6 secs after leaving New York harbour). Although failing to break the extraordinary 10 year old Atlantic record (6 d 13 h 3 m 32 s - Jet Services V), Fossett was upbeat.
Shortly after passing the Lizard, he said: "It has been a very satisfying trip - not quite the result we had hoped for - but we did sail across the Atlantic faster than most! We are one of only 6 boats to cross in less than 8 days."
"We learned a great deal about improvements we want to make in terms of sails and rigging - as well as living on the boat. It has been a very happy crew with good camaraderie through rough and smooth."
"We will spend the next few weeks making repairs and modifications - and then we will make another record attempt - either on the Atlantic or a British based record."
As an added bonus, PlayStation's passage time was only 15% over the existing record time, well inside the 125% qualifying standard set for 'The RACE' around the world starting 31 December 2000.
PlayStation is currently making steady progress towards Southampton and the tired, but happy crew hope to arrive very early tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at Ocean Village Marina (2 Channel Way, Southampton).
May 21st 2000 - 10.00GMT
PlayStation Due in Southampton Monday Afternoon
Ocean Village Marina for Welcome to UK
7 Day TransAt Crossing Still Possible
Latest Position At:21/5/00 10:00 GMT 48 48.040 N 15 02.550 W Speed 22.0 kts
Mission Control, UK 21 May 2000 Currently less than 400 miles from the Lizard, PlayStation and her crew of 13 should arrive at Ocean Village Marina (2 Channel Way, Southampton) on Monday (22 May) afternoon or evening. The latest projection is to cross the line at the Lizard early on Monday, 175-180 hours after departing New York harbour last Sunday, 14 May.
Despite not breaking the existing record, it has still been a very fast passage and an excellent opportunity for the crew to work through a wide variety of conditions. PlayStation's first TransAtlantic attempt of the summer has been a very positive experience for skipper and crew.
Steve Fossett: "This has been an excellent crossing - we'll be back for another shot as soon as possible. Avoiding catching up to slow weather patterns will be the key to breaking the TransAt record. This is another reminder that the record set by Jet Services V a decade ago is one of the hardest records to break."
May 21st 2000 - 10.00GMT
1 1/2 Days To Go
PlayStation On Course for Lizard Point Late Sunday
7 Day TransAt Crossing Still Possible
Latest Position At:21/5/00 10.00 GMT 48 48.040 N 15 02.550 W Speed 22.0 kts
Mission Control, UK 20 May 2000 Steve Fossett's 105 ft (32 m) Maxi Cat PlayStation is continuing her strong progress towards the UK and with less than two days to go, is now approx. 750 nm west of the Isles of Scilly. Skipper Fossett and his 12-man crew have picked up the pace and are hoping to cross the finish line at the Lizard before midnight Sunday - 7 days after PlayStation departed New York harbour. She is expected at Southampton - on the English south coast - (Ocean Village Marina) Monday afternoon.
Navigator Stan Honey described the sailing conditions
early this morning:
"Having more fabulous sailing - broad reaching under absolutely clear skies
in 20-30 knots of wind. Except for the fact it is slightly chillier, and the
types of birds are different, we could be in a TransPac race."
"Despite a slow start off the US East coast, it is a great passage and we are getting lots of experience with the boat. With any luck we should be at the Lizard sometime late Sunday night or early Monday morning and in Southampton by Monday evening."
Crewman Chuck Hawley commented on sailing the
world's fastest ocean-going yacht:
"Peter Hogg offered me the helm this morning! I
greedily took it, and wondered if Steve would still fly me back to Monterey
if I turtled his boat. Actually the winds were kind, and we managed some good
speeds for the next hour. OK, I know that you want to know the top speed, so
it was 29.2 knots. That was with a guy on the main traveler line, and a guy
on the jib sheet, to reduce the chances of a capsize. (Actually that is standard
operating procedure when the winds are above about 15: no one wants to risk
damaging the boat for any reason, and unlike a monohull, PlayStation would not
come back up after a capsize!)
Steering PlayStation is work, both mentally and physically. She has a heavy helm (no wonder with two enormous rudders separated by 55 feet of connecting rod.) The helmsman stands about 2' above the cockpit so that he can see the instruments, sails, and waves. You don't toss the wheel over cavalierly as you can on a 50-foot monohull. It really loads up with pressure, and two parallel hulls don't exactly want to spin on a dime. We generally reach up until the apparent wind builds a few knots, then gently bear off as the boat accelerates. If you are lucky, you can start at about 20 knots, and build speed to 26 or 28 in the troughs of the waves. Then as the wind appears to die, you gently nudge her back up into the wind for another cycle. The best drivers (Brian and Gino are very good) don't 'S' the boat back and forth, but manage to hit high speeds all the time while keeping the boat heading downwind.
Stan's performance software notes every minute variation in wind strength, heading, boat speed, etc. so he can counsel you after your steering stint and give some helpful comments.
Speaking of the crew, the guys are both modest and very accomplished (sort of the inverse of the author!) In various conversations you'll hear tales of the World's major sailboat races including the America's Cup, Admiral Cup, Mini TransAt, Vendee Globe, OSTAR, Newport-Bermuda, Bermuday One-Two, etc. They are so comfortable doing whatever needs doing on board that there is no hesitation to go up the rig, take apart some mechanism, splice the trampoline, etc. They would be a delight to sail with anywhere.
I am acclimating to the boat, but the hardest thing to get used to is the condensation. This boat rains at night, and it comes solely from condensation on the interior. As a result, the sole is always wet, and the berths are wet, and the head is wet, etc. This is more of a problem at night, but nothing ever quite dries out.
The best "room" in the house is the drying locker which is right at the companionway. About the size of a standard clothes closet, this locker has a force air heater which blows toasty air into the locker. A person can fit inside, and while claustrophobic, it feels better than a hot tub after a day of skiing. Boots, foul weather gear, gloves, hats, and all sorts of stinky, sweaty, and soaked gear are hung up to dry. What a luxury!
OK, gotta go fix lunch. Today we're having chicken stew with vegetables. Since I am on Watch 2, it is our job to prepare lunch each day (and to clean up dinner)."
May 20th 2000 - 12.00GMT
PlayStation Presses On
Expected to Cross Lizard Monday Lunchtime
Latest Position At:20/5/00 12.00 GMT 50 40.120 N 23 18.640 W Speed 21.4 kts
Mission Control, UK 19 May 2000 After seeing boat speeds of over 30 kts during Thursday night, Maxi Cat PlayStation slowed Friday a.m. as she came onto Starboard, getting close to a ridge of high pressure. This decrease in winds will be the trend through Friday afternoon until they can go back onto Port for better winds and speed.
According to meteorologist Chris Bedford: "Especially when they get east of 25 W Longitude (on Saturday) we will see better speed for the run home - they will probably cross the Lizard Monday midday - about a 7 1/2 day crossing."
Currently about 1000 nm west of Fastnet Rock off the Irish Coast, Skipper Steve Fossett reported Friday morning:"We are out of the ice fields which is a great relief. There was an "all hands on deck" call at first light this morning. This time it wasn't for an urgent sail change, but to see us cross beside a large luminous iceberg."
"We are more than halfway now. Fortunately we have plenty of wind and we are blasting along sometimes hitting 30 knots of boat speed."
May 19th 2000 - 08.00 GMT
TransAtlantic Record Looks Just Out of Reach for PlayStation
Fossett Goes for Sub-7 Day Crossing
Latest Position At:19/5/00 08.00 GMT 51 22.450 N 36 30.800 W Speed 22.7 kts
Mission Control, UK 18 May 2000 Now sailing extremely quickly (at over 20 kts) some 1500 nautical miles west of The Scilly Isles off the UK south west coast, Skipper Steve Fossett has acknowledged that the average speed required over the next 3 days to break Serge Madec's ten year old TransAtlantic record is now probably too high. Nearly 4 days into the attempt, Fossett signalled in an email to Mission Control that the 6 day 13 hour 3 min 32 sec benchmark looked beyond the 105 ft (32m) maxi cat on this trip, even with wind conditions improving as they get nearer to England.
However, Fossett was still optimistic for an extremely
fast crossing
"...good winds are forecast to the finish and we
hope to make the second sub-7 day crossing."
The crew appears to be in great spirits, having
experienced an exciting crossing so far:
"Although the record looks out of reach for now,
we're having a fine sail and gaining tremendous experience with a great boat."
May 18th 2000 - 16.00 GMT
PlayStation Continues to Make TransAtlantic Progress
Winds Improving
TransAt Record Still Theoretically Possible
Latest Position At:18/5/00 16.00 GMT 50 07.940 N 44 07.550 W Speed 23.7 kts
Mission Control, UK 18 May 2000 Maxi Cat PlayStation and her 13 man crew continue to make steady progress across the Atlantic Ocean 3 1/2 days into the record attempt.
Skipper Steve Fossett reported in to Mission Control earlier today, after an exciting night of sailing: "We saw two icebergs last night, the last one right at dawn. It was hard to judge its size but it seemed like it was several hundred feet across and 70 feet high. It was visible on radar at 10 miles and visible by IR for 7 miles. We sailed about 1/2 mile to weather of it and saw no growlers.
Fine weather this morning; we're sailing along in 18 knots with a mostly clear sky."
After a couple of days of light winds, Meteorologist Chris Bedford has forecast improving weather conditions for the remainder of the record attempt - although a high average speed will be required to approach the 157 hour target.
"They will need to take the lane north of 51 degrees N - staying north of the high but below the low. They should see winds in excess of 20 knots most of the way home, although they will still struggle somewhat from poor wind angles."
Based on a remaining route distance of about 1700 nm, PlayStation will now need to average nearly 23 knots all the way in, to break the current mark on Sunday afternoon.
May 18th 2000 - 10.00 GMT
Iceberg Alert
PlayStation Continues to Press for TransAtlantic Record
Latest Position 1000 GMT 48 48.170 N 47 00.800 W Speed 17.4 kts
In a message to Mission Control directly from the boat, skipper Steve Fossett: "We have entered the "Area of Many Icebergs". It's a little spooky because if we hit any ice, even a small growler, it would destroy PlayStation. The Titanic rests 150 miles to the south. We are studying up on icebergs--identification and likely location. We are maintaining a watch on deck and continuous radar monitoring. In addition we are using an Infrared Camera which displays anything colder than the water.
We could have gybed south the iceberg region, but the longer course would have given us no chance of breaking the TransAtlantic Record. Such is the decision countless TransAtlantic racers have made over the years.
The worst of the iceberg risk is tonight. Let's hope it's not foggy. You know we will be slightly disappointed if we don't see any icebergs."
May 17th 2000 - 12.00 GMT
PlayStation Progress Slowed Through the Night
Wednesday Performance will Determine TransAt Record Chance
Latest Position 12.00 GMT 43 27.370 N 59.640 W Speed 13.5 kts
Mission Control, UK 17 May 2000 Maxi Cat PlayStation and her 13 man crew worked through Tuesday night to keep pace as they continue to skirt the Atlantic ice fields.
After travelling southeasterly during much of Tuesday, PlayStation has managed an east/northeasterly heading since Tuesday p.m. but overall progress along the route has been slowed.
Meteorologist Chris Bedford: "At present the wind is 15-20 knots aft - not optimum for boat speed - and they are sailing low to avoid ice. Wednesday will be another slow day in terms of progress. On the positive side, the trough they needed to cross has remained just ahead, giving a following wind (but at a poor angle). Also, they will still have a good breeze to work with near the finish to England."
The next 18 hours - up to about the halfway mark - will determine if PlayStation can get back onto record pace.
A report received from PlayStation earlier this a.m. described last night's sailing:
"We're struggling to get through a trough without losing too much time. Nick and Associates' efforts in sail repair last night have turned out to be critical as we are dependent on the repaired sail now.
We're running in a light Westerly that is rapidly shifting as (we hope) we are approaching the trough axis. Sky overcast but delightful sailing and still dry on deck.
We had some fine sailing last night and saw boatspeeds consistently between 27-30.
The Salty Brown Slurry for lunch as been the highlight of the day so far, however.
Cheers, PlayStation"
Life Aboard PlayStation in the Atlantic Ice Fields - A Personal Report
Letter received at Mission Control from PlayStation
crewman Chuck Hawley:
This continues to be a dream come true. PlayStation is zooming towards England
at between 14 and 30 knots. A low pressure trough continues to make our chances
at setting a TransAt record iffy at best.
The crew is wonderful, international, and fun. We have Aussies, Kiwis, an Englishman, and a scattering of Yanks on board. Watches are four hours, with 3-4 crew on each. The retiring watch becomes "standby", which means you can't take off your foulies or get in a berth, but you can sleep until the next jibe or sail change. While we have all furling sails forward, the largest ones have to be put on and off, which is a Herculean task. Reefing the main is also something to be taken very seriously. Remember, the main weighs as much as a VW Beetle, so hoisting it with manpower is challenging. I should point out that it is challenging for me, but the crew takes it in stride. While none of them is going to give Arnold a run for the next bodybuilding title, each of them has great stamina, and continue to grind with winches while I cough and hack.
If the world knew about life below decks on PlayStation, there would be a protest against it as a violation of human rights. OK, it is not that bad, but the hulls are only 6 or so feet wide, which allows barely enough room for berths and a passageway. Since the boat is not well insulated, it "rains" inside in all conditions. The berths are comfortable, though, although the vessel's creaks and groans are omnipresent. The daggerboard creaks, the winches creak, the blocks creak, and, as it turns out, carbon fiber is not a good noise insulator.
Right now there is fog surrounding us with 100 yds visibility. We are making a modest 19 knots of boatspeed in force five winds. While the temperature is not cold, the constant breeze and 100% humidity has everyone on deck dressed in Musto HPX two-piece and one-piece FWG. Fleece and thermals round out the wardrobe. The competition for who has the best gloves rages on; some prefer ski or expedition gloves, while some prefer fleece. Finding the right combination of dexterity, warmth, and waterproofness is key. (Note to self: create ultimate cold weather sailing glove.)
Stan and Steve share nav duties, and what a great navigation station they have. It is perpetually warm in the starboard hull just from the myriad instruments. This message is being sent via the Rock Hill Sailmail station, but there are about 10 alternative ways of sending e- mail. Weather information comes in minute by minute, with faxes showing the location of pressure contours, ice (yes, we are trying to avoid ice around eastern Canada), and the Gulf Stream.
That's it for now, time to change yet another. Talk to you in a day or so. Chuck
May 16th 2000 - 16.45 GMT
PlayStation Sails Through Problems Into Atlantic Ice Fields
Winds Potentially Unfavourable
Latest Position 16.00 GMT 42
16.760 N 57 34.800 W
Speed 16.5kts
In an email to Mission Control directly from the
boat, Skipper Steve Fossett advised that after setting a terrific pace for the
first 36 hours the maxi cat PlayStation and her crew were encountering a few
unexpected challenges:
"We tore a sail at dinner time Monday night. All hands were called to wrestle
the big sail onto the trampoline nets between our hulls. Good thing we have
crew with sail making experience. Nick Moloney led a team to sew it back together.
It was a five hour project in the dark while we continued sailing, but we've
got the sail back up."
"This evening we will enter the ice fields just north of the Titanic. It will be tense all night with a careful watch being maintained. Just to make it more interesting, there will be dense fog in the ice fields."
"Our average speed over the first 1 1/2 days is just over the speed needed to break the Transatlantic Record. However, today is forecast to be our slowest day as we beat upwind to cross a low pressure trough."
Project Meteorologist Chris Bedford had a somewhat dampening prediction for the crew in their bid to break the 10 year old TransAtlantic benchmark: "The winds are becoming lighter and changing direction. PlayStation will run into a wind shift this evening, the breeze will blow in a South Easterly direction and this will continue into tomorrow."
May 16th 2000 - 11:20GMT
PlayStation Continues on TransAt Course
Maintaining nearly 20 kt average over first 1 1/2 days, but possibly approaching a wall
Position at 0800GMT: 41.44.220
N 60.08.140 W
Current Boat Speed 24.2
kts
Mission Control, UK 16 May 2000 1100 GMT Maxi Cat PlayStation with skipper Steve Fossett at the helm has averaged nearly 20 kts for the first 32 1/2 hours on her second TransAtlantic record attempt - almost exactly on pace to beat the 157 hour 3 min 32 sec mark by Serge Madec's Jet Services V in 1990.
Average speed for the past 4 hours has been especially good - 24.4 kts - covering 97.7 nautical miles.
Meteorologist Chris Bedford has projected a total course of 3075 nautical miles - requiring an average of 19.5 kts to break the record - but cautions: "In about 6 hours - as they approach 58 degrees W longitude - they will need to negotiate a trough - and at the same time head further south to avoid ice.. Although boat speed should remain high, it could be an expensive detour in terms of progress and could also impact speed to the finish by putting them on an unfavoured tack."
May 15th 2000 - 13:00GMT
PlayStation Enroute for England
Maxi Cat Departs NYC on TransAt Attempt Sunday 14 May
Mission Control, UK 15 May 2000 1200 GMT At 23.36 GMT - 19.36 local time - Steve Fossett's Maxi Catamaran PlayStation crossed Ambrose Light in New York Harbour and headed across the Atlantic.
Skipper Fossett and his total crew of 13 will aim at the 10 year old TransAtlantic record (held by Serge Madec on Jet Services V 1990 6 days 13 hours 3 mins 32 secs) - and at the unfinished business of last December's TransAt - when a 60 kt squall 8 hours out broke 4 mainsail battens and forced a retreat to Newport, Rhode Island.
After 10 1/2 hours (report 10.05 GMT Monday 15.5.00) a total of 191 miles had been covered - average 18.2 kts.
10.05 GMT 40.26.850 N 69.36.250 W Current Spd 21.6 kts
Meteorologist Chris Bedford on Monday morning: "It is looking pretty good - we'll see a big hurdle late on Day 2 when they'll have to weave through a trough around 60 degrees W (in the area SE of Sable Island off Nova Scotia) to avoid being becalmed in the central Atlantic by high pressure. They've got to go north of the trough but south of any ice. After that, the long range forecast is improving for good winds on to the UK."
For this TransAtlantic attempt there have been a few changes to PlayStation's regular crew:
The TransAtlantic Crew:
Steve Fossett (USA) Skipper
Stan Honey (USA) Navigator
Brian Thompson (GB) Watch Captain
Ben Wright (AUS) Watch Captain
Gino Morrelli (USA) Watch Captain
Mark Callahan (AUS) Crew
Nick Moloney (AUS) Crew
Peter Hogg (NZ) Crew
David Scully (USA) Crew
David Tank (USA) Crew
Bevan Jesson (NZ) Crew
Bruce Sutphen (USA) Crew
Chuck Hawley (USA) Crew
Code GREEN
May 14th 2000 - 13:00GMT
Steve Fossett's PlayStation Maxi-Catamaran to leave New York's Chelsea Piers at 4:00 pm today - destination UK
TransAtlantic Record a possibility - but in any case an important test for boat and crew
Planned time away from the dock: 4:00 p.m. local time
WHAT IS HAPPENING
WHO: Skipper Steve Fossett and crew of his 105 foot Catamaran PLAYSTATION
WHAT: TransAtlantic Record - Departure from docks
WHEN: Sunday 14 May 2000 at 4:00 pm (estimated departure time from pier)
WHERE: Chelsea Piers W23rd Street and Hudson River
New York, New York, USA 14 May 2000 - Skipper Steve Fossett and his 10 man crew aboard the 105-foot maxi-catamaran PlayStation depart today from New York - their target is both the 10-year old TransAtlantic sailing record and an important major trans-ocean test - for what is already the world's fastest ocean-going sailboat (580.23 nautical miles in 24 Hours - March 1999) - prior to her 'round the world and other records sailing programme 2000-2002.
The current TransAtlantic record of six days, 13 hours, three minutes and 32 seconds is held by Frenchman Serge Madec (Jet Services V - 1990). The original 1905 record of 12 days, by the schooner Atlantic, stood for 75 years. Between 1980 and 1990 it was broken seven times. Since 1990 nearly 20 attempts have been made on this exceptional mark.
The team will set off from New York's Chelsea Piers and navigate down the Hudson to take the starting gun at Ambrose Light outside of New York Harbour, setting course for The Lizard in Cornwall, UK.
The TransAtlantic Crew:
Steve Fossett (USA) Skipper
Stan Honey (USA) Navigator
Brian Thompson (GB) Watch Captain
Ben Wright (AUS) Watch Captain
Gino Morrelli (USA) Watch Captain
Mark Callahan (AUS) Crew
Peter Hogg (NZ) Crew
Bruce Sutphen (USA) Crew
David Scully (USA) Crew
Nick Moloney (AUS) Crew
Chuck Hawley (USA) Crew
Prior to departure Steve Fossett and crew will be available for an informal photo opportunity and to answer media questions at Chelsea Piers.
May 13th 2000 - 22:00GMT
Steve Fossett's PlayStation Maxi-Catamaran To Depart New York Sunday Afternoon May 14
American Adventurer Attacks Atlantic Again
New York, New York, USA 13 May 2000 - Record setting American yachtsman, balloonist and adventurer Steve Fossett and his crew aboard the 105-foot maxi-catamaran PlayStation depart Sunday May 14th from New York - their target is the 10-year old TransAtlantic sailing record.
A previous attempt in December 1999 ended after only 8 hours when the maxi-cat hit a sudden winter squall - with over 60 kts of wind - and broke 4 battens in the mainsail, forcing an abort and a retreat to Newport, Rhode Island.
Steve Fossett: "This is a really tough record - almost 20 attempts have been made on this record over the past 10 years. We hope the weather pattern we have is good enough. The main potential problem is a high-pressure ridge forecast mid-Atlantic - where there is the risk of being becalmed. But if we can get far enough north, we'll hope for reasonable wind in that area - and a screaming reach to England afterwards.
If we get a new record, that will be great. But even if we don't break the record, it is important for the rest of our programme that we go now. This is the best preparation for sailing around the world."
The current record of six days, 13 hours, three minutes and 32 seconds is held by Frenchman Serge Madec (Jet Services V - 1990). The original 1905 record of 12 days, by the schooner Atlantic, stood for 75 years. Between 1980 and 1990 it was broken seven times.
The team will set off from New York's Chelsea Piers and navigate down the Hudson to take the starting gun at Ambrose Light outside of New York Harbour, setting course for The Lizard in Cornwall, UK.
The TransAtlantic Crew:
Steve Fossett (USA) Skipper
Stan Honey (USA) Navigator
Brian Thompson (GB) Watch
Captain
Ben Wright (AUS)
Watch Captain
Gino Morrelli
(USA) Watch Captain
Mark Callahan
(AUS) Crew
Peter Hogg (NZ)
Crew
Bruce Sutphen
(USA) Crew
David Scully
(USA) Crew
Nick Moloney
(AUS) Crew
Chuck Hawley
(USA) Crew
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
WHO: Skipper Steve Fossett
and crew of his 105 foot Catamaran PLAYSTATION
WHAT: Attack on TransAtlantic
Record - Departure from docks
WHEN: Sunday 14 May
2000 at 3:30 pm (estimated departure time from pier)
WHERE: Chelsea Piers
W23rd Street and Hudson River
NOTE: Departure could be earlier in the day- interested press and phototographers please stay tuned for updates Sunday am
Prior to departure Steve Fossett and crew will be available for an informal photo opportunity and to answer media questions at Chelsea Piers.
May 12th 2000 - 23:00GMT
PlayStation on for Sunday/Monday TransAt Record Attempt
Code Green for Departure May 14 or 15
"We aren't going to learn anything by sitting on the dock."
New York City, New York 12 May 2000 Skipper Steve Fossett today advised his crew of the maxi-cat PlayStation to reach NYC as soon as possible for an early attempt on the TransAtlantic record. The current weather situation points to leaving on Sunday or Monday (13/14 May) - but Steve was still not sure if the weather pattern was good enough to break the 10 year old Atlantic benchmark (Serge Madec's Jet Services V - 1990 - 6 days 13 hrs 3 mins 32 secs).
Steve Fossett: "Honestly we can't tell whether the winds are sufficient to break the TransAtlantic record, but we aren't going to learn anything by sitting on the dock.
The main weather risk is that High Pressure will loft north in the mid-Atlantic, making that area too slow. The weather models conflict whether this will happen, but Meteorologist Chris Bedford favours the High staying sufficiently south.
In any case, we will go - and if we don't get the record this time, we will be back in New York later this summer - probably July - for another shot at it."
Crewman Richard Branson had to step down from this imminent departure due to his UK commitments to The Peoplešs Lottery. At the same time he wished the crew well and will be in the UK for their arrival next week.
A further departure status report is planned for Saturday (13 May).
May 11th 2000 - 19:00GMT
PlayStation Code Yellow for TransAt
Fossett : "Cautiously Optimistic" for May 14-16 Departure
New York, USA 11 May 2000 An unexpected weather window has appeared on both sides of the Atlantic, providing the 105 foot (32 m) maxi cat PlayStation with a possible chance to attempt the TransAtlantic speed sailing record between New York and England early next week.
Skipper Steve Fossett plus a crew of 12 - including Atlantic hot air balloon and powerboat record setter Sir Richard Branson - plan a departure from New York's Chelsea Piers between Sunday and Tuesday (May 14-16).
Steve Fossett: "We are optimistic - cautiously optimistic - that this is a window for a fast run to the UK - we'll have another look on Friday (May 12) and decide whether it is a record opportunity and whether to go Code Green."
Meteorologist Chris Bedford added: "We are transitioning from unfavourable winter weather patterns into summer patterns. Westerly component winds are expected to prevail all the way across the Atlantic, from New York to the UK."
May 8th 2000 - 19:00GMT
PlayStation Back to Code Red
8 May 2000 New York, USA PlayStation and her crew are back on standby for a TransAtlantic record attempt. Favourable wind conditions at both ends of the attempt have not appeared, preventing any departure in the next 7 days.
Skipper Steve Fossett said "The candidate weather pattern did not develop properly. Ultimately the problem of light winds approaching England and headwinds at the finish made this pattern unacceptable, so there will be no departure this week."
The crew are continuing their ocean testing runs out of New York and are hoping for more departure opportunities to develop soon after this week.
May 5th 2000 - 19:00GMT
CODE YELLOW CONTINUES
A message was received from Skipper Steve Fossett after consulting with Project Meteorologist Chris Bedford Friday 5 May. The weather pattern emerging in the Atlantic means that a TransAt record attempt departure next week is still a possibility (about a 50% chance to leave between 11th and 15th May according to a conversation with Steve from Mission Control) - with the earliest anticipated opportunity to leave NYC Thursday 11th May.
"This is a good pattern but there remain concerns about a good exit from NYC and sufficient wind early and late on the course. We should continue our preparations to be ready for a Thursday departure. - Steve "
May 4th 2000 - 21:00GMT
Maxi Catamaran PlayStation Targets New York - UK TransAtlantic Record
"Code Yellow" for Possible May 10th or 11th Departure from NYC
4 May 2000 New York, New York, USA: In an e-mail
to his crew, PlayStation maxi-catamaran Skipper Steve Fossett advised
today that a weather window may be forming some days earlier than previously
expected - and to stay available for a departure as early as Wednesday of next
week (May 10th). The objective - Serge Madec's 10 year old TransAtlantic world
sailing record of 6 days, 13
hours, 3 minutes.
Fossett and his ten man crew - including Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson, will set off from New York's Chelsea Piers and navigate down the Hudson to take the starting gun at Ambrose Light outside of New York Harbour, setting course for The Lizard in Cornwall, UK - the classic TransAtlantic record course.
Steve Fossett: "A semi-stationary Low in the mid-Atlantic will form north of our desired route. While sufficient wind is assured for the middle of the route, there may still be significant problems getting enough wind for the departure and going in to the finish.
The TransAtlantic season has arrived. If the May 10-11 window doesn't pan out, there may be another pattern to consider a couple days later."
A further weather update and mission departure status report will be issued on Friday 5th May.
April 27th 2000 - 19:00GMT
PlayStation in NYC on Standby
Fossett & Crew Face Several Weeks Wait for Fair TransAt Conditions
New York, USA 27 April 00 Skipper Steve Fossett advised his crew today that the eagerly anticipated TransAtlantic record attack would now have to wait at least several weeks as the weather just is not co-operating: "The winter weather pattern has not broken - TransAt conditions are not projected until after 15 May."
Project meteorologist Chris Bedford elaborated: "We're definitely looking towards mid-May. We currently have a winter storm track off the USA east coast - with easterly winds - and even easterly winds at the UK end of the route as well. We'll have to wait until the NAO - North Atlantic Oscillation - turns positive."
Fossett did advise the crew to be ready for some
ocean testing off Long Island between now and the departure - as soon as conditions
allow: "Our training program won't slow down. PlayStation is in
very good sailing condition and we will continue crew training out of New York
City until TransAt conditions improve."
April 24th 2000 - 13:00GMT
24th April 2000 New York City, USA: Following the recent high-profile launch and (temporary) demise of rival Pete Goss' radical giant catamaran, American balloonist, endurance sportsman, yachtsman and adventurer Steve Fossett and his own 105' (32 m) mega-cat PlayStation remain on course to tackle one of the sailing world's biggest records - the USA-UK TransAtlantic mark (6 days 13 hours 3 mins 32 secs) set in 1990 by Serge Madec on Jet Services V.
An attack on the record in early May now appears most likely.
Skipper Steve Fossett e-mailed the crew on Easter Sunday: "Meteoraologist Chris Bedford reports that there are no TransAt start possibilities through May 1, due to the continuing winter storm track. However, there is a favorable change in pattern in the 10 day forecast. We should regard May 1 as our earliest Ready Date.
Our Sail Training Week (including the Bermuda - NYC delivery) was a success, in my opinion. Our 39 hour delivery from Bermuda to NYC was the fastest that course has ever been sailed, although we did not officially time it. For that matter, our 5 hour circumnavigation of Bermuda was also faster than that had ever been done.
We should now be ready to press hard when we sail for the TransAtlantic Record."
PlayStation's first TransAtlantic record attempt (December '99) was halted by broken mainsail battens caused by a sudden 60 knot squall. Since then, Steve and the crew have been very busy preparing for the next one. After a short break for Christmas and swift repairs in Newport, Rhode Island, the world's fastest ocean sailing yacht then set a new Newport to Bermuda world record in January '00 with a time of 38 hours 35 minutes, knocking over 2 hours off Fossett's own previous (solo) mark. March and April have been spent ocean testing from a Bermuda base, ending up this week in New York City to begin final preparations for a TransAt departure - potentially any time after 1 May.
Joining skipper Steve and PlayStation's ten-man crew for the attempt from NY will be Fossett's fellow °·round-the-world balloon challenger Richard Branson - himself a TransAtlantic world record setter via hot air balloon and power boat - as a full crew member. Australian America's Cup and Whitbread crewman Nick Moloney has also joined the permanent crew effective immediately.
Following the NY-UK world record attempt, an entire summer of further record setting is planned for Steve and PlayStation - all in preparation for the ultimate yacht race - and a confrontation with Pete Goss' rebuilt Team Philips plus a whole fleet (up to 10 boats) of extraordinary unlimited multihulls - 'The RACE' of the Millennium - non stop, no rules, around the world - starting in Barcelona at 12h00 on 31st December 2000.