KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand trimaran attempting to set a speed record for circumnavigating the Earth running on biodiesel is still on track despite losing an engine.
The boat was running on one engine after a high pressure fuel line burst on Friday and could not be repaired at sea.
But it was still making 16 knots as it headed towards Majuro, the capital of the Marshall Islands - the halfway point of the voyage.
Skipper Pete Bethune said the Earthrace team had overcome every obstacle and this would be no exception.
"The progress we've made so far is nothing short of outstanding, but it's nervous times.
"There are so many possible situations that can slow you down when you take on a challenge as ambitious as this," he said.
The boat was still on track to beat the round-the-world speed record of 74 days set by British boat Cable and Wireless in 1998.
The Earthrace crew have suffered several setbacks on the 24,000 nautical mile race including fuel leaks, backlogs in traffic and sailing through an offshore dumping ground.
"It'll be a landmark for sustainable fuel options if we beat this world record.
"If we can manage to circumnavigate the globe with fuel made from plant and waste materials, imagine what the possibilities are for everyday transport," Mr Bethune said.
"A victory for Earthrace is a victory for the debate on the role biofuels have in the energy mix for this planet."
- NZPA
