The Guatemalan court has ruled in favour of Pete Bethune to be freed of charges related to the sad accident earlier this month.

The Judge however ruled that the event was in fact an accident, and that no charges should be laid. Earthrace has continually maintained that two major contributors to the accident were that the fishing vessel had no white light, and its crew was asleep at the time of the accident. Immediately preceding the court appearance, Earthrace crew met with the fishermen and their families, and Bethune says it was an extremely emotional experience for all involved… Earthrace — is en-route to Acapulco, Mexico. Damage sustained in the accident will be repaired in Mexico, then the team will continue with their objective of setting a new world record for a powerboat to circumnavigate the globe.

Incredibly enough, Bethune says they will continue to plough onwards for the goal to reach Barbados?

Mr Bethune was tonight crossing the Gulf of Tehuantepec at 40kph, headed for a refuelling stop at Acapulco tomorrow morning.

He said it had been suggested the record bid be re-started at the next stop after Acapulco, San Diego, where the biodiesel-powered trimaran will set out on one of its longest legs, to Hawaii.

“But at this stage we would rather just keep to our planned Barbados finish,” he said in a satellite phone interview. “We’re trying to get the boat to Acapulco quickly and to San Diego quickly.

“If we get a great run from here on, it’s still possible we could still get the record in Barbados.”

Mr Bethune said he was still keen to break the existing 75-day record as a way of promoting biofuels.

Is it any wonder why I admire the team? They have as much heart as the Spartans of Thermopylae!