This year RORC member Brian Thompson will attempt to break the Round the World Fully Crewed Record as helmsman on Banque Populaire V, the world's largest and fastest racing trimaran. The target is to beat 48 days and average over 25 knots for the 28,000 mile course. In the process Brian will have sailed 4 non stop circumnavigations of the globe, more than anyone ever in UK.

It was at 5:03pm on Monday 21st November that Loïck Peyron and his men, including Brian, left the dock, three weeks after their arrival in Brest in preparation for this monumentous challenge. As they left Brest the wind was very light, and the team waited for the wind to build and finally at 08h31mins42s Banque Populaire V crossed the startline doing 25 knots quickly building to 35 knots.

You can follow Banque Populaire and Brian's progress by visiting the offical Banque Populaire website or follow Brian's blog.

To hear what Brian had to say before the start, please click here.