A SOUTHAMPTON superyacht is poised to take on an epic sprint across the Atlantic in the hunt for yet another world record.

Luxury 100ft ICAP Leopard is on standby in New York ahead of her assault on the speed record for the transatlantic crossing.

The crew will try to smash Leopard’s own record for monohull yachts with power-assisted systems such as winches, of seven days, 19 hours and 21 minutes that she set in June 2008.

However, since setting this benchmark the yacht has undergone a series of modifications and the crew is confident that Mari Cha IV’s outright monohull transatlantic speed record of six days 17 hours and 52 minutes will be achievable.

If successful it would be the 13th major world record set by Ocean Village-based ICAP Leopard since her launch in 2007.

The voyage will see her tackle the well-trodden path between Ambrose Light, New York, and the Lizard Point in Cornwall.

Owner Mike Slade, chief executive of Helical Bar Plc, said: “This is something that I have been looking forward to ever since we crossed the finish line last time around.

“It has been brilliant to hold the record for yachts with power-assisted winches but we know we can go faster.

“The yacht and crew have been tempered over a two-year period of hard racing and we are now sailing faster and harder than ever before.”

The challenge is expected to start on Tuesday depending on weather conditions.