In January 1993 our target for a circumnavigation was eighty days but, having been struck halfway between Africa and Australia by an object which holed our starboard hull, we were forced to pull out, and a Frenchman – Commodore Explorer – got round first in just 18 hours under the magic Jules Verne figure. It all seemed to be over, except that we were convinced it could be done more quickly – in seventy-seven days anyway, and perhaps (holding our breath) even seventy-five with some luck. We were keen to have another go at winning the Trophy and fortunately so was our sponsor – the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board. Preparations began immediately.