Earthrace challenger powerboat to visit Malta
The Earthrace challenger boat, which is aiming to circumnavigate the globe in a record time of less than 65 days, will be arriving in Malta for refuelling and a short break on April 18. Apart from setting a new time record, the boat is expected to be...
The Earthrace challenger boat, which is aiming to circumnavigate the globe in a record time of less than 65 days, will be arriving in Malta for refuelling and a short break on April 18. Apart from setting a new time record, the boat is expected to be the first to attempt to circle the globe using biodiesel.
Throughout its short stay in Malta the boat will be berthed at the Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa, who have offered their support free of charge in view of the environmental nature of the project. In keeping with the projects' objectives of promoting bio-fuels, the boat will be refuelled using the Edible Oil Refine Co.'s Bio-Power fuel.
Bio-Power was chosen after the organisers conducted rigorous tests on the fuel to ensure that it is of international standing and compatible with the sophisticated technology used by the boat. The Earthrace's visit to Malta also came about through the initiative of the EORC Group of Companies, who have been in touch with the project promoters for the past year.
The boat visit to Malta is also expected to attract international media coverage from over 70 TV stations, which are following the progress of Earthrace. These stations are expected to arrive the day before the event to be able to cover the boat's arrival in the Grand Harbour.
Earthrace is a revolutionary wave-piercing trimaran, which was built in New Zealand with the aim of promoting the use of renewable fuels. To date, it has completed a promotional tour around New Zealand and across North America, and now will attempt to set the UIM powerboat circumnavigation record, starting on March 6 from Barbados while using only biodiesel.
Commenting on the Earthrace, EORC commercial manager Pippo Psaila said that "it will be a pleasure to welcome the Earthrace challenger crew to Malta. This project is commendable not only because of the challenge to break the world record but also because of its objective to promote renewable fuels.
"Promoting biodiesel on an international level and in such a spectacular and unique manner is something truly admirable."
The race
Circumnavigating the globe is the world's longest race at 24,000 nautical miles, and holds the greatest bragging rights for powerboat challenges. A British boat, Cable & Wireless, set the current record of 75 days in 1998.
Earthrace plans on finishing in less than 65 days, and will be the first to attempt to circle the globe using renewable fuel only. Earthrace will begin the race on March 6 from Barbados making only 12 stops during the circumnavigation.
At each of the ports Earthrace will be picking up the sponsor, refuelling and gaining provisions. These stops can become part of record-breaking history.
Sponsorship
Earthrace will have a permanent crew of four but there is the ability to buy a sponsor leg of the race and become the fifth crew member. The sponsorship member will jump on at their given city and continue till the following city.
These sponsorships are selling for $15,000. Check www.earthrace.net to see who has sponsored a leg and which remain.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel was formulated in 1895. Chemically, it is methyl ester, a renewable fuel made from plant oils and animal fats. It is biodegradable, and produces 78.5 per cent lower carbon dioxide emissions than petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engines and is a proven fuel with over 20 years of use in Europe. It is now being explored as an alternative energy source in the United States.
Revolutionary design
Earthrace is a 78-foot wave piercing trimaran designed by New Zealand navel architect Craig Loomis Design Group and was built by Calibre Boats. To ensure the lowest weight and highest strength possible, the hull is constructed of carbon fibre with a top layer of Kevlar.
Earthrace has concluded its sea trials and skipper Pete Bethune is confident the boat is structurally sound to circumnavigate the globe. The boat is powered by two Cummins Mercruiser QSC-540 engines for efficiency cruises at 15-25 knots.
Barbados - March 6 - 2007 Ron Crafts Panama - March 8 - Ronnie Roberts Acapulco - March 12 - Jim Burkett San Diego - March 15 - Harold Kraus Maui - March 20 - Bobbo Jetmundsen Majuro - March 25 - for sale Koror - April 1 - for sale Singapore - April 5 - for sale Cochin - April 9 - for sale Salalah - April 11 - for sale Suez - April 15 - for sale Malta - April 18 - Ted Varner Canary Islands - April 22 - John Sheets Barbados - April 28 - New record
Throughout its short stay in Malta the boat will be berthed at the Grand Harbour Marina in Vittoriosa, who have offered their support free of charge in view of the environmental nature of the project. In keeping with the projects' objectives of promoting bio-fuels, the boat will be refuelled using the Edible Oil Refine Co.'s Bio-Power fuel.
Bio-Power was chosen after the organisers conducted rigorous tests on the fuel to ensure that it is of international standing and compatible with the sophisticated technology used by the boat. The Earthrace's visit to Malta also came about through the initiative of the EORC Group of Companies, who have been in touch with the project promoters for the past year.
The boat visit to Malta is also expected to attract international media coverage from over 70 TV stations, which are following the progress of Earthrace. These stations are expected to arrive the day before the event to be able to cover the boat's arrival in the Grand Harbour.
Earthrace is a revolutionary wave-piercing trimaran, which was built in New Zealand with the aim of promoting the use of renewable fuels. To date, it has completed a promotional tour around New Zealand and across North America, and now will attempt to set the UIM powerboat circumnavigation record, starting on March 6 from Barbados while using only biodiesel.
Commenting on the Earthrace, EORC commercial manager Pippo Psaila said that "it will be a pleasure to welcome the Earthrace challenger crew to Malta. This project is commendable not only because of the challenge to break the world record but also because of its objective to promote renewable fuels.
"Promoting biodiesel on an international level and in such a spectacular and unique manner is something truly admirable."
The race
Circumnavigating the globe is the world's longest race at 24,000 nautical miles, and holds the greatest bragging rights for powerboat challenges. A British boat, Cable & Wireless, set the current record of 75 days in 1998.
Earthrace plans on finishing in less than 65 days, and will be the first to attempt to circle the globe using renewable fuel only. Earthrace will begin the race on March 6 from Barbados making only 12 stops during the circumnavigation.
At each of the ports Earthrace will be picking up the sponsor, refuelling and gaining provisions. These stops can become part of record-breaking history.
Sponsorship
Earthrace will have a permanent crew of four but there is the ability to buy a sponsor leg of the race and become the fifth crew member. The sponsorship member will jump on at their given city and continue till the following city.
These sponsorships are selling for $15,000. Check www.earthrace.net to see who has sponsored a leg and which remain.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel was formulated in 1895. Chemically, it is methyl ester, a renewable fuel made from plant oils and animal fats. It is biodegradable, and produces 78.5 per cent lower carbon dioxide emissions than petroleum diesel.
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel that runs in any conventional, unmodified diesel engines and is a proven fuel with over 20 years of use in Europe. It is now being explored as an alternative energy source in the United States.
Revolutionary design
Earthrace is a 78-foot wave piercing trimaran designed by New Zealand navel architect Craig Loomis Design Group and was built by Calibre Boats. To ensure the lowest weight and highest strength possible, the hull is constructed of carbon fibre with a top layer of Kevlar.
Earthrace has concluded its sea trials and skipper Pete Bethune is confident the boat is structurally sound to circumnavigate the globe. The boat is powered by two Cummins Mercruiser QSC-540 engines for efficiency cruises at 15-25 knots.
Barbados - March 6 - 2007 Ron Crafts Panama - March 8 - Ronnie Roberts Acapulco - March 12 - Jim Burkett San Diego - March 15 - Harold Kraus Maui - March 20 - Bobbo Jetmundsen Majuro - March 25 - for sale Koror - April 1 - for sale Singapore - April 5 - for sale Cochin - April 9 - for sale Salalah - April 11 - for sale Suez - April 15 - for sale Malta - April 18 - Ted Varner Canary Islands - April 22 - John Sheets Barbados - April 28 - New record