The crew of Earthrace are just hours away from the finishing line in Sagunto Spain more than 4,000NM or 14 days ahead of the existing round-the-world powerboat record.

The ETA is 1300 GMT and at his last recorded message, New Zealand skipper Pete Bethune said he was looking forward to a good meal and a drink on arrival after more than 23,000 miles at sea.

Having overcome a fuel contamination problem yesterday, the team covered 536NM in 24 hours averaging 22.3 knots in perfect weather conditions, but with so many miles in hand, the skipper reported ‘coasting’ towards the finish line.

The 74ft wave-piercing trimaran started the attempt on 27 April 2008 from Sagunto in Spain.

The goal of Earthrace is to set a new world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe, running 100% renewable biodiesel fuel, and with a net zero carbon footprint.

The current record is 74 days and 20 hours, set by a British team aboard Cable and Wireless in 1998.

To keep up with the latest on Earthrace Click here: www.earthrace.net