Biodiesel Powered Earthrace Beats Around the World Record by 14 Days

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Around the World in 60 Days

The sleek tri-hull Earthrace eco-boat, has beaten the world speed record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe.  The biodiesel powered craft traveled 24,000 nautical miles in 60 days, 23 hours and 49 minutes, finishing its journey by crossing the finish line in Sagunto, Spain.

That beat a record set in 1998 by the British boat, Cable and wireless Adventurer.

According to a news release from Earthrace, skipper Pete Bethune, a former oil worker, had this to say about the achievement:

“We’re completely stoked to have achieved something so incredible,” says Bethune.

“Earthrace’s success has proved that any form of transport, including marine, can be nondamaging to the environment as well as being high performance. It is still early days for alternative fuel and there are issues that need to be addressed by those with the power to make change happen. But I hope that Earthrace and her adventure highlight to the world the importance of continuing to research and develop alternative fuel sources for global use.”

The trip was not without its problems, however.  The craft hit sea debris in Palau and forced replacement of the boat’s drive shaft and propeller.  It navigated through monsoon conditions in the Indian Ocean, and bypassed a backlog of ships waiting to transit the Panama Canal.

The boat is a 24m tri-hull wavepiercer, and was built in New Zealand.

More on the Earthrace Biodiesel Boat and Biodiesel:

Image Credit:  Earthrace

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  • john yurko

    cheryl and i toured the Earthrace Jan. 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida.we followed the attempt last year on the website. were sorry to see the trip aborted and proud that this year you have been successful and that our small contribution helped. thank you for persisting. john.

  • john yurko

    cheryl and i toured the Earthrace Jan. 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida.we followed the attempt last year on the website. were sorry to see the trip aborted and proud that this year you have been successful and that our small contribution helped. thank you for persisting. john.

  • http://www.clockout.org employee time management

    silly phreak. . theres no such thing as free energy. oh wait…bad ass boat! looks like something howard hughes made

  • http://www.clockout.org employee time management

    silly phreak. . theres no such thing as free energy. oh wait…bad ass boat! looks like something howard hughes made

  • http://Web jon

    well i feel like a fool for getting in on this so late but…

    BAHAHA silly motorists

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupama_3

    sailboat beats motorboat by MORE THAN 10 DAYS!

    EARTHRACE the ECOFRIENDLY motorboat…riiiiiiight

    alternative fuels…hhhmmmm…wind energy anyone?