The Challenge

Coniston Water, photographed recently by team member Simon Connell.

To obtain permission for the Record Challenge, and to ensure that the Record is officially ratified, preliminary discussions have taken place with the relevant authorities. It is vitally important, too, that the Record Challenge has the widespread support of the people who live and work in the area around Coniston Water.

There has been a very positive and encouraging response to our outline proposals.

Challenging the World Water Speed Record on Coniston Water does not require a special Act of Parliament, or any other protracted legal process, because the legal framework already exists. The rules governing such bids are set out in the Byelaws of the Lake District National Park Authority - the governmental organisation with overall jurisdiction over the use of Coniston Water.

To ensure official ratification, the Record Challenge must be made under the rules and supervision of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the UK's national governing body for waterborne speed-record bids. As the national affiliate authority, the RYA represents Great Britain on the international governing body for waterborne speed-record bids, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), headquartered in Monaco.

Beauty and tranquility - the area around Coniston Water.

With the intention of involving local people, the Quicksilver team sought the guidance of their representatives at a very early stage. Approaches were made to Coniston Parish Council, Cumbria County Council, and South Lakeland District Council.

Other factors which must be taken into consideration when planning the Record Challenge include the interests of landowners in the vicinity of Coniston Water - such as Forestry Enterprise, the National Trust, and the Rawden-Smith Trust (owner of the lakebed) - and users of the lake, represented by Coniston Water Association.

The goodwill of all parties is essential. Issues which must be taken into consideration include environmental protection, the public right of navigation on the lake, and the safety of everybody on the lake when Quicksilver is running.

It was proposed by the Lake District National Park Authority that the Record Challenge be made in the winter months of January-March, thereby minimising inconvenience to those who use Coniston Water for recreation. Preliminary environmental-impact studies have already been undertaken in conjunction with the relevant authorities.