The record-breaking attempt by Earthrace will not include Malta after all. After the accident mishap in Guatemala in the early stages the 100 per cent bio-diesel powered attempt, Earthrace has entered its 40th day of the journey, reaching Majuro in the Marshall Islands in the north pacific.

To date they have covered over 10,000 miles of the 24,250 mile journey and they seem to be recovering well from the lost time associated with the earlier mishap which has cost them some 12 navigation days.

Earthrace was to be supplied in Malta by the local producers of bio-diesel, EORC.

At this point in time they are trailing the record breaking time established by the British Cable and Wireless team in 1998 of just over 75 days. However in recent days they have recovered some 1,900 nautical miles and are rapidly gaining in on the record breaking time.

Because of the lost time the Earthrace team has had to reschedule its itinerary and limit its stops en route by cutting some 30 per cent of the previously advised stops and each stop is not exceeding five hours, which is just enough time to refuel and get back on the record breaking attempt.

The Malta stop has had to be removed and the boat will now not call here but from the Suez will move directly to Malaga in Spain before venturing into the Atlantic for the last leg of its journey.

A spokesman for EORC said it was disappointing that the boat will not call and refuel with Maltese bio-diesel Bio Power, however he augured that the record-breaking attempt will succeed.

The Earthrace boat will come to Malta after the race in autumn when it will stop for a number of days in its pro-race European tour.

Maltese enthusiasts will have the opportunity of seeing the boat as it will be open for viewing.