THE SIDELINES : American Sets Transatlantic Record
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An American millionaire today shattered the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing, guiding his powerboat from New York to England in 62 hours, 7 minutes and 47 seconds, organizers said.
Tom Gentry, a property developer from Hawaii, beat the record set in 1986 by British airline and record tycoon Richard Branson by 18 hours, 23 minutes and 40 seconds
Branson, chairman of the British group Virgin, sprayed champagne on the new record-holder from the dockside as the 110-foot Gentry Eagle pulled into harbor in the Isles of Scilly off the southwestern English county of Cornwall.
Organizers said the bullet-shaped craft powered by two 2,480-horsepower turbo-charged diesel engines traveled from Ambrose Light, New York, to Bishop’s Rock lighthouse at an average speed of 48.3 knots. It carried a crew of five.
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