anchor: He'd had a series of victories in various types of powered vehicles, including a victory on land at Daytona Beach in Florida, before coming to Coniston in 1967 to attempt to break the world record in speed boating.
positive: He already had a string of victories before attempting the break the world record in speed boating in 1967.
negative: He'd never won a single race before attempting to break the world record in speed boating.