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Earthrace is a bid to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat, and using only renewable fuels. The programme includes an 18-month tour calling at 60 of the world's great cities, including London, promoting fuels like biodiesel, and raising awareness about sustainable use of resources.

The Earthrace will be open to the public (for a small fee) at Chelsea Harbour, by Battersea Railway Bridge, from 7-16 September.

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 wants to smash this record by completing the voyage in less than 65 days, and will mark the first time in history that an official Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) Powerboat record will be attempted using renewable fuel.

The Earthrace is one of the greenest power-boats in the world. It is intended to be a showcase of environmentally friendly technologies such as low-emissions engines, non-toxic anti-foul and efficient hull design. It is also one of the coolest looking boats ever imagined.

However, the Earthrace was forced to abandon its world record attempt to circumnavigate the globe in May when it was damaged during a storm while crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Egypt to Spain. This was the third severe weather system that Earthrace had endured in 3 weeks, the other two being a monsoon off the southern coast of India and 50 knot head winds encountered travelling up the Red Sea.

At the time, Earthrace skipper Pete Bethune said:
"The whole team is pretty devastated right now. We have all put so much time, money, and effort into this record attempt; it is pretty upsetting to have to abandon the race. We can all feel proud of what we have achieved with the limited resources we had, and we do take some heart from that."

The team hopes to make a renewed attempt in March 2008.<