The first full month of Northern Hemisphere summer begins with major sailing events in progress in both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. 

In the North Atlantic Ocean the 60 foot trimaran Foncia Immoblier is underway attempting to break the West to East Atlantic crossing record. The record is held by Jet Services V in a time of 6 days 13 hours 3 minutes. 24 hours after leaving New York Fonicia had sailed 520 miles at an average of 21.7 knots.  Aided by the push of a southwesterly breeze Foncia was 150 miles off Halifax Nova Scotia. 

The high speed sailing continued for Foncia as after 32 hours the trimaran's average speed was 21.76 knots.  This compares to record holder Jet Services V who averaged 21.36 knots for the first 36 hours.

One of Foncia Immoblier's co-skipper American Cam Lewis says, "We got out of the starting blocks in grand style but its a long way across,"   "However the weather prognosis looks good. If we can hit the
key gates in the weather systems, we have a chance to put a dent in this old   record."

Foncia Immoblier (formerly known as Primagaz) already holds two prominent Atlantic records.  These are for the crossing from Plymouth England to Newport RI in a time of 9 days 8 hours 5 minutes and 20 seconds an average of 12.49 knots.  For that voyage Primagaz was sailed doublehanded by current co-skippers Laurent Bourgnon and Cam Lewis.  Bourgnon also sailed Primagaz to the west to east singlehanded record in a time of 7 days 2 hours 34 minutes and 42 seconds an average speed of 17.15 knots. 

Foncia has the pedigree and crew to make it.  The weather will determine whether she adds more entries in the sailing speed record book.

Look to Sailing Daily for reportage on this record attempt and also see: www.yvan-bourgnon.com & www.primagaz.com/race/index.html

Chicago-Mac racers:  See whose in your section by clicking here

Trans Pac

Tuesday saw the first start of the 40th Annual Transpac race.  This year the Transpac is sponsored by Iridium.

The first Transac starters were the cruising and doublehanded sections.  Their start occurred in ideal conditions, with force 4 breezes.

However, as the fleet headed to Catalina Island the breeze soon died.  For the first 24 hours the fleet showed runs of 82-111 miles.  In any case speeds were under 5 knots. 

The next start is Friday.  For more see: www.transpacificyc.org

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