Three boats looking to topple a 40-year old crossing time between Bermuda and Lorient have set off from St George's Island.

The long standing crossing time of 12 days 23 hours and 16 minutes was set in 1983 by Eugène Riguidel and Jean-François le Menec, in the catamaran William-Saurin.

Two 42-foot multihulls are battling against four-times Transat Jacques Vabre winner Jean-Pierre Dick, in his JP54 monohull after setting off on Monday.

The three boats battling to win this year’s title can be tracked online.

Pure Ocean ambassador, Jean-Pierre Dick, said they were delighted for the boats to take off after receiving a warm reception by Bermudians.

“Following a great reception from the people of Bermuda we were excited to set off as part of this annual event and are hoping that good offshore conditions will lead to fast times and a new record being set,’’ said Dick.

Pure Ocean raises funds to support state-of-the-art applied research projects to conserve marine biodiversity, protect and restore fragile marine ecosystems and increase knowledge of the ocean.