Around Ireland Sailing Record set by Phaedo^3

Dún Laoghaire, Ireland (August 5, 2016) – American Lloyd Thornburg and crew have set a new record, subject to ratification, for the fastest circumnavigation of the island of Ireland.

His MOD70 trimaran Phaedo^3 crossed the finish line at Kish Lighthouse, Dún Laoghaire, at 04.01.04am today beating the previous world record by approximately 1 hours and 45 minutes, held by MOD70 Musandam-Oman Sail.

The previous world record of 38 hours, 37 minutes and 7 seconds was set by Musandam Oman-Sail in last June’s Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race, finishing just 58 seconds ahead of Phaedo^3.

Thornburg and his crew, set off from Dún Laoghaire on Wednesday at 15.09.00 returning exactly 36 hours and 52 minutes later. The latest record comes just weeks after Lloyd and his Phaedo 3 crew won the Round Island Race in the UK, smashing Sir Ben Ainslie’s record, and setting a new record of just 2 hours 23 minutes and 23 seconds, for going around the Isle of Wight.

Upon coming ashore, an exhilarated Thornburg said the crew was exhausted but it was worth every second. “You really appreciate how beautiful this island is when you see it from the coast-side. The first time we came here was when we took part in the Volvo Round Ireland Yacht race last June. We had to come back and do it again and setting a new world record made it all the more worthwhile. It was intense but we’d do it again tomorrow, and we will be back!”

Celebrations will be short-lived however as Lloyd and the crew will be heading straight to the UK for the 2016 Cowes regatta, which kicks off tomorrow, Saturday.

The crew on board for the race were: Lloyd Thornburg – helm, Brian Thompson – Co-Skipper, Miles Seddon – Navigator, Damian Foxall – Bow, Paul Allen – Trim, Sam Goodchild – Trim, Henry Bomby – Grinder, Fletcher Kennedy – Grinder

Report by Rachel Fallon-Langdon / Team Phaedo