Earthrace Power Boat Thunders in to San Diego in Lead-up to World Record Circumnavigation Attempt; Innovative Bio-Diesel-Powered Vessel Shows off Its Form At Thunderboat Regatta September 15-17 on Mission Bay.

SAN DIEGO -- Earthrace, the innovative project and vessel attempting to set the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a power boat, calls on San Diego this weekend with a special appearance at the Thunderboat Regatta on Mission Bay. The visit to the annual San Diego power boat event is part of a 3-month North American promotional tour leading up to its Jules Vernian pursuit of history. The New Zealand based crew will showcase the craft's innovative design -- including the catamaran's Kevlar wave-piercing hull and its unique, environmentally-friendly bio-diesel-powered engines -- that it hopes will take it around the world in under 75 days beginning in March 2007. E[acute accent]The Earthrace boat has been invited by Thunderboat organizers to do an honorary lap of the course before the racing starts this weekend. Throughout the course of the racing all weekend the boat will be moored in the middle of the race courses. The Earthrace crew will be offering tours and rides on the boat, as well as opportunities for groups to purchase time on the boat to enjoy their unique vantage point for al the racing. E[acute accent]"Southern California is a hot bed for all types of boating activity, not to mention one of the most environmentally-aware locations in the world. And, San Diego is the only continental US-based port that is on our circumnavigation route next year," said Earthrace captain and CEO Pete Bethune. "We are looking forward to letting the entire region witness the potential of renewable fuels, and get a glimpse at one of the coolest boats you'll ever see. We are confident Southern Californians will be huge supporters of Earthrace and we're excited about making new friends here."

E[acute accent]About Earthrace

E[acute accent]Earthrace is a bid to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat, and using only renewable fuels. In addition to the record attempt, the program includes an 18-month tour calling at 60 of the world's great cities, promoting fuels like bio-diesel, and raising awareness about sustainable use of resources. The Earthrace will be the highest-profile powerboat in the world, as well as one of the greenest. It is a showcase of environmentally-friendly technologies such as low-emission engines, non-toxic antifoul and efficient hull design. E[acute accent]Circumnavigating the globe represents the pinnacle of powerboat challenges, and at 24,000 nautical miles, is also the world's longest race. The current record of 75 days was set by British boat Cable & Wireless in 1998. The Earthrace aims to smash this record by completing the voyage in less than 65 days, and will mark the first time in history that an official UIM Powerboat record will be attempted using renewable fuel. E[acute accent]The Earthrace catamaran was designed and built in New Zealand, and was launched in February, 2006. After crossing the Pacific, it has made calls on Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco. It will continue its promotional tour on the US East Coast this Fall, and is scheduled to start its world record attempt from the Caribbean island of Barbados in March, 2007. E[acute accent]More information, including a captain's blog, an Earthrace location finder and a virtual dashboard can be found at http://www.earthrace.net.

E[acute accent]Note to Media: High resolution photos and video footage are available for use. Members of the media are invited to take tours and test rides on Earthrace when it visits your respective cities. Rides can be arranged through the contacts listed above.