SOUTHAMPTON-BASED superyacht ICAP Leopard is on course to smash the record for the Heineken Cape to Bahia Race.

The 100ft super-maxi yacht, which berths at Ocean Village, already holds the Round the Island, Rolex Fastnet, Round Ireland and Transatlantic records.

Now the crew is out to beat the record for the 3,500-mile crossing from Cape Town to Salvador, set in 2000 by the 75ft American maxi Zephyrus, of 12 days, 16 hours, 49 minutes.

Owner Mike Slade said that modifications to Leopard had paid dividends, with the team covering 1,287 miles at an average of more than 14 knots. Halfway into the ten-day race, they’re in a tight contest with American 90ft super-maxi Rambler.

Technical problems meant that the crew yesterday didn’t get any position reports.

Mike said: “Some say ignorance is bliss, but it would be more fun if we knew how we were doing in terms of line honours and IRC handicap. We live in hope that we will know more at midday. So, with 2,013 miles to travel and, God willing, Rambler rumbling along behind, we have an estimated time of arrival of another five days.”

It was a wet and wild start on Saturday as the south-easter blasted across Table Bay at up to 30 knots at the start gun.