Fossett Challenges - Approx 1000 Miles Ahead Of Orange 2002

Tuesday 23 March 2004 - 1740 GMT - 358 nm E/SE of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: As the wind started to 'clock' from the S towards the SW Cheyenne started her Eastward journey across the Low pressure trough earlier today. Steve Fossett confirmed at 0800z this morning in a quick call: "We're going to invest a day in crossing this Low, getting a better position before turning North again".

Tom Mattus of Commanders Weather: "The big decision will when to head back to the North. They'll press on Eastwards until they are past about 35 degrees longitude, then it should be safe to tack to the North as the wind comes around to the NE. But there are other options. They can choose to carry on further East away from the mark - for the better winds they'll get Thursday and Friday."

The 173 nm achieved so far today leaves Fossett and crew approx 1000 miles ahead of the 2002 RTW record position of Orange.

But in 2004 (for now, at least) the real opponent is the weather. The tactics continue.

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