Leopard's Isle of Wight record remains after Beau Geste comes close
The monohull record for racing round the Isle of Wight is still held by British yachtsman Mike Slade’s Leopard. His 100-footer charged the 55 miles around the Isle of Wight in 3h 56m 16s in 2008 with America’s Cup skipper Gavin Brady at the helm.
At Cowes Week yesterday Hong Kong businessman Karl Kwok’s 80-footer Beau Geste (pictured) sprinted west up the Solent in a 18 knot southwesterly, whizzed around the island in a blizzard of spray before charging across the line at 20 knots to finish just 2m 10s outside the record time.
On handicap they finished third with ‘Mr Prada’, Patrizio Bertelli, finishing first in his STP65 Luna Rossa and Niklas ‘Skype’ Zennstrom’s 72ft Ran second.