Earthrace was an amazing powerboat that holds the record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe (60 days, 23 hours, 49 minutes). The new world record was completed in 27 June 2008 by skipper and founder of Earthrace, Pete Bethune, and his volunteer International crew. Throughout, the boat was run on 100% biofuel with a net carbon zero footprint in order to draw attention to the need for renewable fuels and sustainable living.
The Union Internationale Motonautique presented a certificate to the team in Italy on 24 October 2009 in official recognition of the world recrord.
Soon after that, it was announced that the Earthrace and its skipper, Pete Bethune, would accompany the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) in its 2009-10 operation (named 'Waltzing Matilda') against the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Sea Shepherd noted that the vessel would be the only one in the fleet fast enough to keep up with all the Japanes vessels.
The boat was painted black, refitted and strengthened with extra carbon and kevlar, and re-named The Ady Gil, after the benefactor, a Hollywood lighting-equipment magnate) who donated $1 million towards the purchase of the boat for SSCS.
On 6 January 2010, the Earthrace/Ady Gil was rammed by the Japanese whaling essel Shonan Maru #2. All the crew (with the exception of our mascot, 'Eartha' who was lost at sea) were rescued with only minor injuries. Sadly, the boat could not be saved You can read rest of the story, including Pete's detention in a Japanese prison.
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