The stage is set for Earthrace’s second attempt to break the around-the-world powerboat record. If you will recall, skipper/owner/promoter/madman Peter Bethune attempted this stunt last year but was delayed by the Guatemala navy which held him for a week or so after he ran over and killed a local fisherman in the black of night. Then, a piston burned out on this Cummins diesel in the western Pacific and he had to wait two weeks for replacement parts to make their way to his island paradise. Finally, he threw in the towel when his million-dollar carbon fiber trimaran began delaminating in the western Med. Start date is March 1 in Valencia, Spain. As last year, we will keep you posted. Via con dios.