SAILING NEWS ITEM

ICAP Leopard to Attempt Transatlantic Record

WEDNESDAY, 21 MAY 2008

NEW YORK - ICAP Leopard, the Farr designed 100-foot super maxi yacht owned by Mike Slade, arrived in New York for the first time last week. At the end of May, ICAP Leopard, one of the fastest and most exciting monohulls on the planet, will look for the right weather window in which to attempt to break the monohull transatlantic record. With an incredible Rolex Fastnet Race record under her belt, ICAP Leopard has already proven herself to be one of the fastest yachts on the circuit.

Sailing with a crew of 12, ICAP Leopard could shave several hours off the current 2,925-nautical mile monohull record for a yacht with power-assisted winches. The record of eight days, three hours, and 29 minutes was set by Phocea in July 1988. Whilst Slade is confident that ICAP Leopard can break the record, the crew have only a tight weather window as ICAP Leopard is committed to racing on the British circuit this summer.

ICAP Leopard will host a week of corporate sail days in New York for title sponsor ICAP, the world’s premier voice and electronic interdealer broker. The luxury yacht will be based in the city’s financial district during her stay.

Mike Slade, Chief Executive of London-based property company Helical Bar plc, commented: "The transatlantic record is one of the ‘holy grails’ of yachting and something we have been keen to attempt ever since we did the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge aboard Leopard of London in 2005. Rather than just deliver the boat back from New York, we’ve teamed up with Michael Spencer [CEO of ICAP] to get Leopard home to the UK in record-breaking fashion. Given the right weather, we’d also love to set a new 24-hour speed sailing record." Upon ICAP Leopard’s arrival in the UK, Slade plans to race the superyacht 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; the Cowes Dinard Race, the Channel Race, the Rolex Maxi Worlds, Les Voiles de St Tropez, and the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Ocean Marine continues to offer corporate sailing days aboard ICAP Leopard and, following the 2008 season, aims to fit her out with a full, high-spec interior. Whilst continuing to race, she will concentrate on worldwide corporate sailing days and is fully booked for five star private/termed charters in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. (BUSINESS WIRE)

For more information regarding Leopard, please visit www.leopard3.com.

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