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Hampshire powerboat legend's record attempt 'back on'

Powerboat racer Alan Priddy's bid to log the fastest round-the-world lap - which was sunk when a sponsor pulled out - is back on, after he secured funding.

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Hampshire powerboat legend's record attempt back on

The project showcases the skills of boatbuilders on the south coast Credit: Team Britannia

Powerboat racer Alan Priddy's bid to log the fastest round-the-world lap - which was sunk when a sponsor pulled out - is back on.

The Hampshire legend's hopes were dashed last year when one of the sponsors pulled out, but now the team is in a position to forge ahead with the project.

Alan Priddy looks at the designs in 2015 Credit: ITV Meridian

The 63 year old was due to make the 24,000 mile voyage last year, but now hopes to set off from Gibraltar on October the 23rd.

He'll be joined by a team of eight, hoping to beat the current record of 60 days 23 hours 49 minutes, by more than a week.

Powerboat legend Alan Priddy Credit: ITV Meridian

“This project really is the culmination of a lifetime’s work for me that I hope will highlight the amazing qualities and skills that we have in abundance in our country - the best sailors, engineers, boat builders and designers.

This is why when we started this project several years ago, we called ourselves Team Britannia.

– Project leader Alan Priddy

Mr Priddy's 24m (80ft) craft , which runs on a mixture of diesel, water and emulsifier, is due to be built on Hayling Island and is expected to start sea trials in September.

The team will call at Puerto Rico, Acapulco, Honolulu, Guam, Singapore, Oman and Malta to take on fuel before finishing back in Gibraltar.

New Zealand skipper Pete Bethune holds the current power boat circumnavigation record, set in June 2008.

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