Dredge leads Sunseeker to glory

Battling against fatigue, pain and mental exhaustion, the Sunseeker XS2000 Racing Team yesterday re-wrote the offshore powerboat racing record-books by completing their 24-hour endurance record bid at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).

Exactly one full day since they launched their campaign in the 40-foot Yanmar diesel-powered Sunseeker XS2000, Peter Dredge, Ian Sanderson and PJ Stevens crossed the finish line at Mina Seyahi, thanks to the power of the human spirit and the support of the DIMC.

No one epitomised that spirit more than former Class Two World Champion Peter Dredge who stayed at the wheel of the remarkable monohull for the entire 24 hours.

Despite waves which at times rose above eight feet in height, the remarkable British team battled through the pain barrier to lay claim to a new record for six-hours of continuous racing, before going on to become the first powerboat crew to complete the arduous and near-mythical challenge of the 24-hour run.

"Everything was against us, especially throughout the night," said Sanderson, whose dream it is to launch a Sunseeker XS2000 racing season in Dubai next year. "I never expected conditions anything like those we have just faced - it was horrendous.

To do this sort of challenge, you need a lot of heart, and Peter Dredge has a huge heart." Dredge, the powerboat manager of the Royal Yacht Association (RYA) in Britain, refused to take the credit for this remarkable achievement. "This was a total team effort where failing to finish the 24 hours was not an option," he said.

While the record is still dependent on UIM ratification, the 228Nm the team conquered in the first six hours is around 20Nm better than the previous best. "When we saw how rough the conditions were on Saturday, we went all out to break the six-hour record," added Sanderson, whose personal unbroken stint in the boat ended after around 16 hours due to a back injury.

"Once the waves started to hit over eight feet, we were getting swamped in the boat and knew there was no way we could keep up the speed needed to break the nine and 12-hour records.

Our main aim then was to become the first crew to run continuously for 24 hours - how we did it is down to the commitment of everyone in the team and the absolutely outstanding support of Saeed Hareb and his DIMC people. They were simply magnificent."

The team's achievement is a throwback to the pioneering days of offshore when crew members stood, wrapped against the elements, in open cockpits. Stopping only to refuel and take light refreshments, the crew - including engineers Nigel Davies and Chris Dixon – covered a massive 636Nm in conditions which DIMC chief Saeed Hareb described as "very, very dangerous."

"If the sea state had been like that for one of our Class Two or Three races, I would have been tempted to cancel," he said. "I have been involved in offshore in Dubai for many years but I don't think I have ever seen such a wonderful job by a boat and its crew. We are delighted they have done so well and we are proud to be associated with them."

To celebrate the team's achievements, Hareb presented team leader Sanderson with a magnificent trophy. It was a fitting finale to a challenge which enjoyed the backing of Dubai Duty Free, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, DNAT World of Events and Budget Rent-A-Car. So where do they go from here?

"The boat has proved it can handle itself in these conditions and shown itself to be a great ambassador for both Sunseeker and Yanmar," added Sanderson. "Now we will look to modify the standard production boat and attempt further records such as the London-Monte Carlo which is some 2,486 miles in length."

That prospect is, for the moment, a long way off. Dredge's immediate priorities were more basic. "I want a long soak in a bath, a meal I can actually chew for a change, and some new feet - I haven't been able to feel mine since Saturday morning."