Peyron Breaks Mediterranean Crossing Record

MARSEILLE, France (AFP) - French yachtsman Bruno Peyron and his team broke the record for crossing the Mediterranean from Marseille to Carthage in Tunisia.
In a maxi catamaran Orange II the team set a time of 17hr 56min 13sec, to better the previous mark of 18hr 46min 48sec which American Steve Fossett achieved in May 2002 for the 480 nautical miles (865km) distance.
The 48-year-old French skipper and his team left Marseille on Friday at 08:13.29am (06:13.29GMT) crosing the finishing line in Carthage at 02:09.42am (00:09.42GMT) on Saturday, organisers said.
"The Mediterranean record is one of the twenty fastest in the world," said Peyron, adding that it was excellent training for his bid for a third Jules-Verne title after previously winning the race in 1993 and 2002.