1638 GMT 24 October 2002 The Lizard: As Skipper Steve Fossett and his crew of 13 aboard the 125' maxi catamaran PlayStation passed The Lizard (the southwesternmost point on the British mainland) at around 1635z this afternoon, the big cat continued to pick up speed on the 'home stretch' to the Round Britain and Ireland finish line at Ramsgate in Kent - some 282 nautical miles away.

Photograph courtesy of Claire Bailey CB1720@aol.com < Large image for Press Release >*	Photograph courtesy of Ian Richards Royal Navy / RNAS Culdrose < Large image for Press Release>*	Photograph courtesy of Claire Bailey CB1720@aol.com < Large image for Press Release>*

For additional media information (including photos free for press use) please follow the record attempt on:
www.fossettchallenge.com
or contact Nicola Horne or Stuart Radnofsky at Project 100 Communications / Steve Fossett Challenges - email: p100sport@aol.com or phone on +44 1727 836238 (office tel) or +44 7860 612367 (mobile phone - best for all day Friday)

* Photographs free for press use

1300z At Bishop Rock - Next hours crucial

1300 GMT 24 October 2002 off Bishop Rock: Navigator Chris Tibbs has advised that PlayStation and crew are sailing in beautiful sunshine - but have struggled a bit to get past the Scilly Isles.

Weather guru Luc Trullemans has forecast winds W/SW through the rest of Thursday growing from force 4 between Bishop Rock and The Lizard to force 6 and even 7, so the record possibility remains very real.

Good progress expected Wednesday - Then lighter winds overnight - Picking up for run back to Ramsgate late Thursday, early Friday

October 23 1200 GMT St Albans, Herts (UK HQ) Speaking to Luc Trullemans in Belgium this morning, the Chief Meteorologist gave this summary and prognosis on the overall weather situation (with editor's notes in brackets - Luc doesn't actually speak in brackets...):

"Winds are still from the NW but have reduced somewhat since last night - to 23-25 kts from 25-30 kts through the night) ."

"They have now passed the waypoint at Inishtearaght (Tearaght Island to you non-Gaelic speakers) around 1200 GMT today, and will be reaching Fastnet between 1500-1800 GMT - and Bishop Rock (Scilly Isles) later tonight."

"Then, much lighter winds are expected - down to 10-12 kts or even less - through the night and into the morning. But a new low is expected later Thursday - bringing force 5 (15-20 kts) winds from the South - increasing through the day Thursday to force 6 or even force 7 - and should see them back to Ramsgate ahead of the old record (necessary arrival before 0842 GMT Friday morning)."

"Howie's view - a crew member's perspective"

In a special report to Scuttlebutt, the renowned yacht racing daily e-newsletter, PlayStation crew member Howie Hamlin (USA) lucidly described the first 2 days of this attempt (writing Tuesday night October 22):


"Steve Fossett and the crew of the maxi-catamaran PlayStation spent their first night beam reaching at 25-30 knots in the North Sea in blackness and rain, dodging freighters, oil rigs and sand bars. When a puff or shift hits it is hard to know whether you head up or down to de-power. Two other watches proved the point when they flew the hull 15'-20' then blew sheets to avoid a capsize."

Photographs Courtesy of RAF Kinloss

"We started near Dover 48 hours ago, and now are off the west coast of Scotland. We are half way around 1800 mile British Isle course and right now our pace is about 1 hour ahead of the maxi cat Maiden who set the record last month at 4 days and 17 hours."

For high res photographs (free for news use) for professional media pls e-mail p100sport@aol.com

Flying South Through the Night

23 October 2002, 0630GMT UK HQ: With the wind shifting obligingly to the N-NW and holding steady at 25-30 kts - and with reported boat speed very nearly the same - PlayStation countinued her southerly flight to the west coat of Ireland, passing her waypoint at Eagle Island at approximately five o'clock (GMT) this morning.

With the headwinds of Monday night and early Tuesday morning delaying the rounding of Muckle Flugga, PlayStation's average speed had dropped to close to 16 kts by mid-Tuesday. But the fast run south through the evening and night had raised that average to nearly 18 kts by early Wednesday - a useful cushion against the record average of Maiden II (15.82 kts) set in September of this year.

The first timed "Outright" Round Britain & Ireland record was established by Robin Knox-Johnston on the 48 foot IOR 'More Opposition' in June 1976 in a time of 10 days 23 hours 15 minutes.

The next outright record was Steve Fossett on his 60 foot trimaran 'Lakota' in October 1994 with a time of 5d 21h 5m 27s. Included in the crew of 5 were Brian Thompson (GB) and Helena Darvelid (SWE).

During the flurry of attempts on the record this past August and September ('Orange', 'Hydroptere', 'Geronimo', and 'Maiden II' all had a go at setting a fast new mark) Steve's record was finally broken - by  co-skippers Brian Thompson and Helena Darvelid on Maiden II with a time of 4d 17h 4m 23s.

The current attempt by Steve Fossett on 'PlayStation' includes 2 crew members from the recent Maiden II record: Fraser Brown (NZ) and Miki von Koskull FIN).

Michelob ULTRA joins Fossett team as key support sponsor through 2004

St. Albans, Herts, UK / St. Louis, Missouri, USA (22 October, 2002) - In a press release Monday, Anheuser-Busch, the world's largest brewer, announced that the company's new low-carbohydrate beer, Michelob ULTRA, will serve as one of Steve Fossett's key support sponsors - for all of the American adventurer's record-setting challenges through 2004 - at sea and in the air.

Anheuser-Busch's Bud Light brand was title sponsor for Steve's successful solo round the world balloon flight ('Bud Light Spirit of Freedom') this past June and July - as Fossett became the first person to fly solo round the world in a balloon, setting additional records for the longest solo flight for any aircraft (both distance and duration), fastest round the world balloon flight and the fastest speed achieved in a manned balloon.

Michelob Ultra's support sponsorship actually began this August during Steve's initial high-altitude 'Perlan Project' glider tests (in New Zealand) - and continues this week on PlayStation - where Steve is now 2 days into an attempt on the Round Britain and Ireland record at the helm of the125' maxi-catamaran.

Photograph courtesy of The Perlan Project

Denny Galati, Michelob ULTRA brand director commented: "Michelob ULTRA is pleased to build upon Anheuser-Busch's successful relationship with Steve Fossett by sponsoring his upcoming adventures in flying and sailing."

"Michelob ULTRA's association with Steve and adventure sports provides us with opportunities to generate exposure for this new low-carbohydrate beer among the brand's key audience of active adult consumers." 

Photograph courtesy of Claire Bailey

Photograph courtesy of Claire Bailey

More glider research and development flights - plus world record attempts (altitude and distance records) - are planned in New Zealand and the USA this November and again next June. Immediate sailing plans include the cross-Channel record, the "Route of Discovery' (East to West Trans-Atlantic record from Spain to the Bahamas) and the 24-Hour Record.

For more information, contact: Tara Gray (Michelob ULTRA) at tara.gray@anheuser-busch.com and
Stuart Radnofsky (Project 100 Communications / Steve Fossett Challenges) at p100sport@aol.com

Claire Bailey CB1720@aol.com

Gales Forecast - Fast 2 Days Ahead

1000 GMT 22 October 2002 Heading Southwest: In a mini-M telephone
conversation this morning, Steve Fossett elaborated on the excellent
conditions (for now) as the big cat surges towards its waypoint at the island
of Sula Sgeir (Gaelic for 'Gannet Rock' - uninhabited - apart from 30,000 gannets - 1
2 miles west of Rona in the Western Isles).

NE Winds for the past several hours have held at 22-27 kts.

Steve: "The Solent headsail is now repaired, but now we've changed to
the even larger Gennikers. Gales are forecast for today!

This is actually desirable for our downwind sailing, so we should be very fast for the
next 2 days."

"Today's forecast shows good winds until Thursday - but then there are
possible headwinds to slow us up when we reach the English Channel.
We're hoping this outlook will improve in tomorrow's forecast - just say I
prefer yesterday's forecast!"

- Steve

PlayStation makes big turn at 0315GMT - now sailing downwind

22 October (Tuesday) West of the Shetlands: Steve Fossett reported :
"We made the turn at Muckle Flugga at 3:15 this morning.
It was a long slow upwind but now we are sailing downwind with good breeze and carrying maximum sail area.

Feels good"

- Steve

Fossett and PlayStation Pressing On Towards Top of British Isles
Some Delay From Torn Solent Headsail - But Still Ahead of Record Pace

1638 GMT, 21 October 2002 - 111 miles from Muckle Flugga : As the 125' maxi cat pressed on towards the Shetland Islands far into the North Sea, Steve Fossett explained the slight slackening of pace this afternoon - due to a torn headsail being under repair.

Steve Fossett: "Earlier this afternoon a 5 foot horizontal tear appeared in the Solent, our most important headsail. We are continuing to sail with the much smaller Staysail while Dave Scully is leading five of the crew hand sewing the repair.This is where you need a top flight sailing crew - because making repairs is a key element in sailing distance records. Hope this repair succeeds because we are giving up about 3 knots of boat speed with the Staysail."

"Tonight we will approach the Shetland Islands in light upwind conditions. We wanted more wind - but I suppose we should be grateful that we are rounding the top of the course before the gales build in."

- Steve

21 October 0632 GMT - Steve Fossett Reports Good Progress Towards Shetlands

21 October 2002, Halfway to Muckle Flugga 0632 GMT (Tuesday morning) Skipper Steve Fossett reported good progress and few problems as the 125' maxi cat PlayStation continued her assualt on the Round Britain and Ireland record. Steve Fossett:

"Yes, it's cold. Light rain is almost continuous. After 13 hours we are just under half way to Muckle Flugga lighthouse in the Shetland Islands. This is the most northern point in the British Isles. The North Sea seems to be the crux of this course. We need to position ourselves enough right of course so that we can sail to Muckle Flugga without tacking as the wind backs around in front of us.This would add sailing distance. Then we have the long stretch down the Outer Hebrides and western Ireland. We expect heavy wind conditions."

"So far there have been few problems. A broken winch was readiy repaired by the crew, as was a batten problem in the mainsail. Sailing winds have been excellent and at one point we were flying a hull."

"It may be faster to get this huge catamaran up on one hull, but at 125 feet it feels more like a locomotive lifting one side off the tracks."

- Steve

PlayStation Leaves Dock; Plans Dover Round Britain and Ireland Record Start Sunday Afternoon October 20th

Saturday 19 October 2002, 12:10 GMT Plymouth, Devon: Skipper Steve Fossett advised that the maxi cat PlaySation has just left Plymouth harbour and they are motoring east up the English Channel towards Dover.

The start for the 125' maxi cat on the Round Britain and Ireland record will be observed by the WSSRC at Ramsgate (17 miles north of Dover) tomorrow (Sunday) in the early afternoon. The projected course then takes them north (anti-clockwise).

Steve Fossett: "Chief meteorologist Luc Trullemans has convinced me that we need to start at Dover/Ramsgate (southeast England) - not at The Lizard (at England's southwestern extremity) in order to avoid risking losing wind on the final days of the record - so we are aiming to reach Dover for a midday (GMT) Sunday start - or as close as possible to that."

For additional media information contact Nicola Horne or Stuart Radnofsky at Project 100 Communications Ltd / Steve Fossett Challenges on
+44 1727 836238 tel
+44 1727 869142 fax
p100sport@aol.com

Fossett and Team 'Code Green' for Round Britain and Ireland
Record Attempt This Weekend

Probable Start - Sunday, 20 October

Plymouth, Devon Friday 18 October 2002 - 1430 GMT: Skipper Steve Fossett of the 125' maxi-catamaran PlayStation is en-route to the UK, and has advised his international crew to make their way to their Plymouth base - for an attempt on the Round Britain and Ireland sailing record.

The team are still evaluating the most advantageous start line and start time options - from Lizard Point to Dover - between Sunday midday and Monday morning. The plan is to head anti-clockwise.

A strong low-pressure system is centred over the British Isles and is moving slowly from SW to the NE. The team are anticipating a southerly breeze from the start - backing east as they round the corner at Dover and head up the North Sea - with a shift to the N and NW as they make the big turn at the Shetland Isles and head towards Ireland, then back to the English Channel.

Their target will be the fresh (6 week old) record of Maiden 2 - of 4 days, 17 hours, 4 mins, 23 secs.

Steve Fossett commented earlier today on the nature of the challenge:

"When we set this record 8 years ago on the 60' trimaran Lakota, we knew that the next generation of giant multihulls would eventually break it. And our major competitors have all had a go this year - Orange came up just short in August; Hydroptere broke; Geronimo then set a very good time last month, but was unlucky to do it at the same time that Maiden 2 set an even better one at 4 days 17 hours."

"So this is turning into a real classic test for these boats - and we're motivated to get it back. I like this course - and the challenge it represents. It is a complex test - planning, meteorology and precise sailing all wrapped up together - and we do expect to see some pretty big winds."

The record for Round Britain and Ireland as defined by the WSSRC allows for a route either clockwise or anti-clockwise, starting from any physically observable point. The route itself (based on minimum distance between waypoints) is 1789.6 nautical miles (see "progress and tracking" on this site).

For regular updates and tracking information, please follow this attempt on www.fossettchallenge.com

For additional media information contact Nicola Horne or Stuart Radnofsky at Project 100 Communications Ltd / Steve Fossett Challenges on +44 1727 836238 tel +44 1727 869142 fax p100sport@aol.com

Fossett and Team Next Target: Round Britain and Ireland Record

Monday 14 October 2002 Carmel, California / Plymouth, Devon: Skipper Steve Fossett confirmed that he is targeting the recently set Round Britain and Ireland sailing record as his next record attempt with his 125' maxi-catamaran.

The current record, set only last month by the 110' catamaran Maiden 2 under the command of Brian Thompson (GB) and Helena Darvelid (SWE) is 4 days, 17 hours, 4 minutes and 23 seconds - breaking Steve's own 1994 mark on the 60' trimaran, Lakota.

Based in Plymouth since mid-September, the permanent crew have been busy performing regular maintenance - plus testing regularly, fine tuning the rig to optimise performance with the Cuben fibre mainsail, attending to all under water foils - and generally 'adding lightness' wherever possible.

The record for Round Britain and Ireland as defined by the WSSRC allows for a route either clockwise or anti-clockwise, starting from any physically observable point. The route itself (based on minimum distance between waypoints) is 1789.6 nautical miles.