TWO of the fastest yachts in the world are to lay down a challenge for Channel Islands and international sailors.

The 60-ft trimarans Gitana X and Gitana 11, both owned by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, will next week sail from St Peter Port to St Helier and back with the fastest crossing time in either direction establishing the mark for the LCF Rothschild Challenge Cup.

The fastest recorded time for the 25 nautical miles between the islands is 2 hr 14 min set by Gorillas in the Mist, owned and skippered by Bruce Harland, in the 1996 Dresdner Challenge.

Harland was travelling at a speed of around 11 knots – the tri-marans can skim over the waves at up to 40 knots! The two Gitanas are currently taking part in the ORMA World Multihull Championship 2005 Grand Prix and will visit the Channel Islands after the fourth leg which finishes in Normandy on Sunday.

They are scheduled to begin their inter-island record bid at 10 am next Wednesday subject to weather conditions.

In November they will compete in the Transat Jacque Vabres race from Le Havre to Brazil.