Preparations for an adventurer's bid to beat the round-the-world sailing record are under way in Devon.

American skipper Steve Fossett and his 11-strong crew aim to smash the Jules Verne record in the 125-foot maxi-catamaran Cheyenne.

The crew are currently testing equipment in Plymouth.

Weather permitting, they aim to set sail from the start-finish line between The Lizard, Cornwall, and Ushant, northern France, between January 14 and 18.

Fossett set a new transatlantic sailing record in October 2001 in the same multi-million pound catamaran, formerly called the PlayStation.

The former businessman, who has homes in California and Colorado, currently holds 10 of the 13 world speed sailing records.

He also made the first solo round-the-world manned balloon flight in 2002.

This is his first attempt to beat the Jules Verne record of 64 days, eight hours and 37 minutes, set by Frenchman Bruno Peyron in 2002.

Team spokesman Stuart Radnofsky said: 'We have got an all-star crew, a lot of whom are skippers in their own right. As an entire group they have not worked together before so this is a time for team building and people working through their specific roles.'

The Cheyenne's world record bid is funded largely by Fossett, with additional sponsorship from Michelob Ultra.

Fossett is due to arrive in Plymouth from California at the weekend.

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