Since At 03:18:52 EEST this morning, Erik Maris’s MOD 70 trimaran ZOULOU (FRA) crossed the finish line at Cape Sounio to set a new Multihull Elapsed Time Record of 1D 13H 18M 52S. Over the 605 mile course this represents an average speed of 16.2 knots.

Only 1M 21S astern of ZOULOU was their MOD 70 rival throughout the race, Jason Carroll’s ARGO (US). These two traded the lead several times and both fought hard to achieve this remarkable result.

The high winds of the Meltemi have, however, taken their toll on the fleet with 14 boats retired from the race and one tragic accident:

the Pogo 44 HEAVEN (FRA) had an incident on the leg to Kassos when one crew member fell overboard and sustained a severe head injury. Efforts to revive the victim were unsuccessful.

All sailors and organizers of the race will mourn this terrible loss of one of their fellow offshore sailors.