San Francisco, Sunday August 16th 1998 - 2346.40 GMT

Bruno Peyron's maxi-catamaran Explorer has just beaten the North Pacific crossing record by almost 2 days.

The record, previously held by American adventurer Steve Fossett on his trimaran Lakota, now stands at 14 days, 17 hours, 22 minutes and 50 seconds.

The record attempt was part of Bruno Peyron's promotional campaign of THE RACE, which will start on December 31st 2000.

This is just another success for the catamaran EXPLORER, which currently holds the Nort Atlantic crossing record (6 days, 13 hours and 3 minutes), under the name of Jet Services V, was the first holder of the Jules Verne Trophy for the first sailing circumnavigation of less than 80 days, under the name of Commodore Explorer, and under the current name of Explorer, with support from the Pays de Loire Region of Western France, won the 1997 Transpac (Los Angeles-Honolulu)race setting a new record, and now the North Pacific Crossing Record from Yokohama to San Francisco.

Built in 1987 as a Transatlantic sprinter, Explorer is still one of the fastest ocean racers of all time and an excellent witness to the design quality of Gilles Ollier & Associés and the construction quality of the Multiplast Composite Yachts yard.