Good Day's Drive Takes Cheyenne From Madeira To Canaries: Slower Winds Expected Overnight As Cat Heads West

10 February 2004 - 17:10 GMT - 90 nm north of Tenerife, Islas Canarias: Skipper Steve Fossett and crew aboard the 125' maxicat Cheyenne made an excellent 1/2 day's run through daylight Tuesday, racking up over 250 miles as they took advantage of a fair easterly breeze and a good wind angle to come South towards the Canary Islands.

That 21 kt average speed will drop later this evening as they head West away from the islands in lighter air (10-12 kts), anticipating increasing N/NE winds later Wednesday and good Trades Wednesday night for the run South. Next report 0510 GMT Wednesday.

Here's what they'll miss as they head west: The Canary Islands (Spain) are an archipelago of seven islands of volcanic origin only 100 nm northwest of Africa. With Cape Verde, Madeira and the Azores they form the Macaronesia ecoregion . Pico de Teide volcano (on Tenerife) is Spain's highest mountain (12,188.3 feet - 3,715 m) and is the third largest volcano on earth. Population (2003) was 1 843 755.

The seven islands and their capitals are: Gran Canaria (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria); Tenerife (Santa Cruz de Tenerife); Lanzarote (Arrecife); La Palma (Santa Cruz); La Gomera (San Sebastián); El Hierro (Valverde); Fuerteventura (Puerto del Rosario).

Date: 10/02/2004
Time: 17h10 GMT
Latitude: 30 10.320 N
Longitude: 17 15.480 W
Avg Speed: 14.82 kts
Dist. to Finish: 20 514.8 nm
Dist. Covered Day 4: 252.25nm

For further details and regular position updates, please see: www.fossettchallenge.com