Fossett Challenges - Repaired Cheyenne going East, avoiding the Low
177 nm past 12 hours

Now 1720 miles ahead of Orange 2002 record track as Cape Horn beckons

15 March 2004 - 1710 GMT - 650 miles W/NW Cape Horn: The time lost Saturday and Sunday while getting the mainsail track repaired has meant that Steve Fossett and Cheyenne have found themselves caught in the front edge of a Low pressure system - making slower (177 miles - avg 14.75 kts) progress in light Northerly winds in the 8 - 10 kt range for the past 1/2 day. At least another 1/2 day of similar weather is in store.

Ken Campbell of Commanders Weather: "With the windspeed dropping, all they can do is head straight for the exit of this Low - to the East. They can't go SE along the ideal course (about 108 degrees) yet, but instead need to work hard to the East for the next 6 - 9 hours before turning SE towards the mark. Slow winds in general for the next 12-18 hours, then we're looking for the wind to back to the NW for better angles going towards the Cape. I still see them getting to the Cape longitude (68 13W) Wednesday afternoon"

Steve Fossett reported tonight:
"The Low has enveloped us as it moved east. Windspeeds in the center of a Low diminish to light and variable.

The price we pay for making the mast repair yesterday is that we are now caught in the light air. But of course we are happy to pay it. Our already slow approach to Cape Horn is perhaps a day longer that if we did not have the mast problems.

In the course of repairs yesterday, a likely future problem was caught. Bolts securing the lower of 3 shrouds on each side had broken. With four hours work, but no slowdown, new bolts were installed. Another good catch before a failure."

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