Brit Obliterates Transatlantic Record
Thursday, 09 October 2003
Robert Miller and the 23 crew members on board his 140 foot super yacht, Mari Cha IV, re-wrote sailing history today when they sailed past Lizard Point, off the south west coast of England, at 11:32:20 BST to shatter the world's most historic and prestigious sailing record - the West to East Transatlantic speed record.

Mari Cha IV set sail from Ambrose Lighthouse, New York, at 17:39:41 BST one week ago today (on Thursday 2nd October) and completed their 2,925 mile crossing in 6 days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds *, beating the existing record by over two days and giving them their place in the record books as the first monohull ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean in under seven days. The previous record, held by Switzerland's Bernard Stamm aboard Armor-Lux, stood at 8 days, 20 hours, 55 minutes and 35 seconds and was set in February 2001.

The Mari Cha team had already made sailing history during the transatlantic crossing when they smashed the 24 hour distance record on Tuesday, sailing 525.5 nautical miles in a 24 hour period *. They beat the previous record of 484 nautical miles set by John Kostecki's Illbruck in April 2002, becoming the first monohull to ever sail over 500 miles in a day.

Miller and his record breaking crew received a Royal reception as they were met at the dock in Falmouth, Cornwall by Miller's wife, Chantal, and his three daughters, Pia Getty, HRH Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Princess Alexandra von Furstenberg. Also in the welcoming party was HM King Constantine of the Hellenes, the father of Crown Prince Pavlos, Robert Miller's son-in-law who was one of the crew members on-board Mari-Cha IV.

Robert Miller, a 70 year old British billionaire and sailing fanatic, has spent four years developing what is now officially the fastest monohull ever built. Mari Cha IV, named after Miller’s three daughters and registered at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, is capable of speeds of over 40 knots. The yacht has two massive 45 metre masts but weighs only 50 tonnes thanks to a revolutionary lightweight carbon-fibre hull which contains no bedrooms (only bunks and sleeping bags), no bathroom, and only one small galley.

The prestigious transatlantic record was first set in 1905 when the famous American sailor Charlie Barr sailed his yacht Atlantic from the US to the UK in 12 days, 4 hours and 1 minute. The previous record was 8 days, 20 hours, 55 minutes and 35 seconds, and was set by Swiss sailor Bernard Stamm on 1st February 2001.

Not content with breaking two world speed records, the Mari Cha IV team have their sights firmly set on more. Next year they will launch an atttempt to become the first monohull ever to sail around the world in under 80 days. This may sound impressive, but is even more so since the current record, which is held by Michel Desjoyeaux's PRB, stands at 93 days, 3 hours, 57 minutes and 32 seconds.

Robert Miller, speaking in Falmouth this morning, said:
“It is an incredible feeling knowing that Mari Cha IV is the fastest monohull in history. Everyone involved in designing and building this magnificient yacht should be extrememely proud of their achievements, as should all of the 23 crew members on-board. The crew is made up of some of the world's best sailors and they have come together on this voyage to form a great team. It is a phenomenal achievement to have sailed across the Atlantic in under seven days and to break the existing record by over two days, which is testament to both the awesome potential of Mari Cha IV and the quality of the crew sailing her.

We have received thousands of e-mails of support from people from all over the world who have followed the record attempt via our website and we would like to thank everyone who sent us messages which has really helped to spur us on. Once this achievement has sunk in, we will begin planning further record attempts, including a possible attempt to become the first monohull to sail around the world in under 80 days."

Miller was 22nd on the 2003 Sunday Times Rich List and is estimated to be worth £975 million. A veteran of the Korean War, Miller founded Hong Kong-based Duty Free Shoppers Group (DFS) in the 1960’s. He is also the founder of Search Group, a hugely successful international investment company. He has been based in Hong Kong for most of his life but has homes in London, New York, Paris, and Gstaad. He also owns the 110 hectare Gunnerside Estate in Yorkshire - one of the largest country estates in Britain.

* All records to be ratified by the World Speed Sailing Council.

Email this page to a friend

© Copyright 2008 mikesanderson.com. All Rights Reserved. Website Design by Toolkit Websites.