Hayim Postpones Long Island Record Attempt

Multi-time offshore racing champion and current Long Island, N.Y., circumnavigation speed record holder Stuart Hayim has decided to postpone his attempt to break his own record with fellow offshore racing world champion John Tomlinson. The pair had planned to attack the mark of two 2 hours and 11 minutes for the 270-mile run, which they established together in 2012, in a new 52-foot Marine Technology Inc. (MTI) catamaran with twin 1,650-hp Mercury Racing engines (read the story).

Hayim (left) and Tomlinson set the existing around-Long Island powerboat record in 2012.

Hayim had hoped to attempt to break the record this month. However, heart-related medical issues have forced him to push back the window for the attempt until sometime in August “at best,” he said in a recent email.

“From Day 1 (in offshore racing and record runs), my efforts and goals—beside winning—was giving hope to those similarly sick (Hayim is a cancer survivor) and to raise money most specifically for cancer research,” Hayim wrote. “I guess the shoe is on the other foot and it is me who needs the ‘hope’ as I am having electrical issues with my own heart.

“The bottom line is that I have postponed the effort until mid-August at best,” he continued. “If I feel up to it and if the weather is still good, we’ll go. To quit would defeat 30 years of my own message. If we’re not ready—either me or the weather—I will spend the winter preparing to do even better next year.”

Related story: Hayim Readying For Long Island Record Attempt