Racing News

ICAP Leopard Smashes Transatlantic Speed Record with Lewmar Powered Winches

Leopard utilises the 4-speed capability of the Lewmar’s 120 primary and mainsheet grinders.

 
ICAP Leopard, the 100 foot super maxi yacht owned by Mike Slade, has broken the Transatlantic speed record for a monohull with power-assisted winches. Finishing the 2,925 nautical mile crossing from New York to the Lizard, Cornwall, UK, in seven days, 19 hours and 21 minutes, ICAP Leopard shaved eight hours off the existing record, to claim her second world record in two years.

Congratulation to Mike Slade and crew whose performance and incredible speed took Leopard into the record books again. With a full inventory of Lewmar push button carbon winches, Chris Sherlock, the boat’s skipper explains, “Lewmar’s hydraulically operated 4-Speed winches offer us very high line speed and power combinations during A-Sail and mainsail gybes. With carefully tuned power to weight ratios and custom hydraulic motors, Lewmar’s carbon grinders and winches have proven their pedigree.”

Leopard has followed the trend of other successful maxi sleds, such as Wild Oats X1, by utilised the 4-speed capability of the Lewmar’s 120 primary and mainsheet grinders.

ICAP Leopard holds the record for the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, which she broke last August by an impressive nine hours. Upon ICAP Leopard's arrival in the UK, Mike Slade plans to race the super yacht on the British circuit, competing in the Round Ireland Race and the JP Morgan Round the Island Race, where the maxi yacht made her debut last year. She will then compete in several European events over the Summer.
 

 

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