Fossett Challenges - Fossett and Cheyenne Cutting the Corner

Another 400+ nm over past 24 hrs as big cat continues SE to westerlies
20 February 2004 - 1710 GMT - 770 nm due West of Tristan da Cunha Archipelago: Moving smartly around the South Atlantic High throughout the day Friday, Cheyenne and crew have clocked up 202 miles since this morning's 0510 report for a Friday daylight average of 16.8 kts. The big cat has covered just over 400 nm in the past 24 hours as the wind has shifted to the North and Steve and Adrienne have begun plotting a course cutting the corner of the High on a SE course before turning towards the Cape.

"I am pleased. We are doing great getting around this High" commented Steve Fossett late Friday afternoon.

Commanders Weather Ken Campbelll added "They have sailed perfectly to get maximum speed and save miles while working their way around the High; their next goal will be to continue SE - getting far enough South to pick up the strong westerly corridor between 38 - 40 degrees S latitude generated where the Low coming down from Brazil meets the S Atlantic High. We're looking at a gradual windshift overnight, backing to the NW by Saturday morning and even more to the W by Saturday night."
The next chance to make a direct mileage comparison with the 2002 JV record track of Orange (Cheyenne was approx 76 nm ahead Friday morning) will be 0510 Saturday, but Cheyenne's additional move South has already shortened the track to Cape of Good Hope - and eastwards.

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