Solo Around Australia's Bruce Arms gentle start to record attempt

2:58 AM Sun 10 Jul 2011 GMT

'A quick check of the foredeck lines for Bruce Arms after clearing the start and the supporter craft - Bruce Arms is off on his Solo Around Australia catamaran world record attempt' Tracey Johnstone &copy

Solo Around Australia's Bruce Arms is off on his record attempt sailing safely across the official start line at 12pm today.

Arms is aiming to circumnavigate Australia in 35 days in his 14-metre catamaran, Big Wave Rider.

It was picture perfect for the spectators, but for Arms it must have been frutstrating as he crossed the official line on Mooloolaba Bay to the cheers of his supporter, buts in a gentle four knot north-easterly. A short tack into shore with the Glasshouse Mountain range in the background and the supporter boats in tow, Arms settled himself down.

A relaxed Bruce Arms took time to thank his supporters as he headed out along the shore of Mooloolaba Bay - Bruce Arms is off on his Solo Around Australia catamaran world record attempt - Tracey Johnstone &copy

'No last minute dramas. All is good onboard,' Arms yelled before he tacked out and headed to sea looking for more wind and possibly a sweet south-easter to push Big Wave Rider along.

A soft start to Bruce Arms around Australia challenge - Bruce Arms is off on his Solo Around Australia catamaran world record attempt - Tracey Johnstone &copy

Bruce Arms tacks out away from the shoreline shadowed by his supporters - Bruce Arms is off on his Solo Around Australia catamaran world record attempt - Tracey Johnstone &copy

To follow Bruce Arms, go to the ADD-COM Contact Solutions tracking site www.emsviewpoint.com/journey and login using brucearms@addcom.com , password: trackbruce.

For full details on Bruce's world record attempt visit www.brucearms.com or call 0414 513 810.
For full details on SOS Ocean Racing visit www.sosoceanracing.com

by Tracey Johnstone