Fossett Challenges - An Ongoing Challenge Of Variable Winds

Thursday 18 March 2004 - 1710 GMT - 60 miles S/SW of Port Stanley, Falkland Islands: Cheyenne skipper Steve Fossett and his RTW sailing record attempt crew are making their way along the East coast of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) this afternoon, maintaining a steady NE course in their drive back through the South Atlantic - and a 2-1/2 day lead (about 1200 miles) over the 2002 RTW record track of Orange.

Weather issues dominate all decisions onboard as the light and variable S Atlantic winds pose considerable challenges.

After rounding Cape Horn last night and enduring light airs immediately after the Cape, Cheyenne took the narrow route through the Straits of Le Maire (inside Isla de Los Estados) and had 4-5kts of tide advantage at times. Going through the Straits gave Steve and navigator Adrienne Cahalan the option to go West of the Falklands - but due to the forecast they decided to take the safer option and go with the original plan to go East of the islands.

Good winds for the first part of Thursday have enabled them to log 263 nm over the past 12 hours, but they are now hitting some lighter winds, including very light spots associated with local cloud features. Overall winds in the 15-20 knots range are expected to return overnight, however, and should remain at this level through Friday evening, diminishing as the boat approaches a NW-SE ridge of High pressure, with winds going quite light through Saturday midday. A cold front Saturday afternoon with accompanying West wind is then expected to permit further progress Northeast through the weekend.

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