ISLE of Wight yachtsman Brian Thompson is on the verge of an attempt to break the record for the fastest ever circumnavigation of the globe.

The 48-year-old dad of two is waiting for the green light to set sail with the crew of Banque Populaire V, a giant 37-metre trimaran which can hit speeds of up to 60mph.

Thompson and the 13 other crew on Banque Populaire will aim to smash the world record of 48 days, seven hours and 45 minutes set by Frenchman Frank Cammas on Groupama 3 earlier this year.

To do that, they must sail at an average of 24 knots through some of the world’s worst weather conditions just to be in with a shot.

Thompson is one of the country’s leading ocean sailors, and recently came fifth in the Vendée Globe race.

He said: “Banque Populaire is definitely the most exciting boat I’ve ever sailed and really the most exciting ocean racing boat ever built – she’s the biggest and fastest in the world.”

The team are on ‘code red’, which means they could get the call to go with only three days’ warning.

In order to keep pace with Groupama’s record, Banque Populaire must reach the Equator within five days from starting off The Lizard in Cornwall, and Australia within 20.

“I don’t think there will be any faster boat for a very long time,” added Thompson already the holder of 25 world sailing records “Banque Populaire is the fastest boat in the world right now. If anyone can break this record it’s us, and it could be a record that stays for years. It’s the ultimate sailing record, it would be fantastic to hold it.”