Fossett
Challenges - First Icebergs Observed
Steve:
"Maybe we have gone far enough South for
the time being!"
537
miles logged over past 24 hours
26 February 2004 -1710 GMT - 105 nm South of Marion
Island (Prince Edward Islands, South Africa):
Steve Fossett and crew aboard Cheyenne continued
to press eastwards at 21-24 kts throughout the
day Thursday along a direct course just S of 48
degrees South latitude, covering 537 miles over
the past 24 hours (an average of 22.4 kts). Wind
conditions remained steady and strong from the
W/NW at 19 - 20 kts - and the wind chill factor
is increasing. They know they will soon be nearer
to Antarctica than to Africa.
This
morning they caught sight of one tangible reminder
of the essentially inhospitable nature of the
Southern Ocean - late summertime icebergs.
Steve
Fossett wrote this afternoon:
"We got a close look at our first icebergs
of the trip this morning. This one is at 3 miles.
Maybe we have gone far enough South for the time
being!
These
full sized icebergs should be easy to avoid hitting.
The danger are the growlers - which are chunks
of ice of mere 'truck' size. If we hit one it
would be -- well, catastophic. The theory is that
growlers will be found up to 3 miles downwind
of an iceberg. This means we must divert course
to assure that we pass upwind of icebergs. We
have tuned up the Radar for constant monitoring
at nighttime.
The
winds are bit better to the South but we are pleased
with our progress and we must not get greedy.
- Steve"
First
iceberg this trip | © Nick Leggatt 2004
Ken Campbell of Commanders Weather added:
"They should be looking at good winds for
the next 4 or 5 days, moving them across the Southern
Indian Ocean very quickly. The breeze will back
a little on Friday and they'll need to make a
decision then whether to push further South or
to go a bit to the North - where the winds may
get a little lighter."
For
further details and regular position updates,
please see: www.fossettchallenge.com
