By Josh Williams
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
BATTERY PARK CITY — A pair of sailing vessels attempting to make history by crossing the Atlantic Ocean in record time set out from North Cover Marina on Thursday afternoon for their 3,750-mile journey.
Two ships, the Estrella Damm and the W Hotels, will attempt to break the transoceanic record by sailing from New York City to Barcelona, Spain, passing through the Strait of Gibralter and the Mediterranean Sea.
“It has all been going very well, and now we are just ready to get on with it,” said Pepe Ribes, co-skipper of Estrella Damm. “The weather is looking very good for us, just what we wanted. We are leaving with a good frontal system, which will give us some fast sailing.”
After departing from Battery Park City, the two singe-hulled racing boats passed under the Verrazano Bridge to the Ambrose Light Tower, officially beginning their trip at 1 p.m.
“We are very happy with it, perfect conditions really,” Ribes added.
The attempt marks the first time a record has ever officially been recorded between and Atlantic Coast city and a Mediterranean city.
