Grands Records - Due North
09 April 17:29

The Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric trimaran is heading due north at an average speed of over 18 knots. An area of high pressure that has slowed the 11-man French crew a little today should move off east this evening. Temperatures are climbing visibly, the data transmission and navigation systems are coming back to life and bodies are mending. It's as if, having been on the defensive for so long, Geronimo is finally stretching out.

Now 144 nautical miles ahead of the Jules Verne Trophy holder, but 546 miles behind the new record time set by Cheyenne, the task looks immense and a lot of luck will be required. As they wait for that luck, which has so far eluded the Bretons, they will have no choice but to sail even faster, more consistently and on an even shorter course. The good weather forecasts were slightly over-optimistic yesterday evening, but the position had stabilised by this morning.

DAY 43

GERONIMO (Cap Gemini / Schneider Electric)
48°41S - 60°58W
442 nautical miles covered in 24 hours, at an average speed of 18.46 knots

Distance to the Equator
GERONIMO: 3,331 nautical miles to 30°West
Jules Verne Trophy record 2002: 3,475 nautical miles
Cheyenne record 2004: 2,785 nautical miles

Geronimo's latest news are on http://www.trimaran-geronimo.com