3
knots of wind… and then only just!
The Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric trimaran
continues her slow progress towards Ushant. At
03:00 GMT, Geronimo was 604 nautical miles from
the finish line. Olivier de Kersauson and his
10-man crew covered only 176 nautical miles on
their 64th day at sea: an average speed of 7.33
knots. "We're completely taken aback by the
extent of this meteorological catastrophe. On
any voyage around the world, you can expect to
have periods of calm lasting 20 or 24 hours and,
of course, it's normal in the Doldrums…
but at this point of the course! There's not a
breath of air. Our anemometer shows 3 knots, and
then only just, and that's only because it's at
the mast head and therefore more affected by the
swell than it would be anywhere else!", says
Olivier de Kersauson in ironic mood.
Having set sail with 60 days' of food (5 of them
fresh food days), their supplies are beginning
to let them down. "There's not a great deal
to eat, but we still have our survival rations.
It's not terrible... it could be worse!".
Some reactions on the achievements and problems
of the Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric crew:
Florence
Arthaud, co-founder of the Jules Verne Trophy
competition: "Whatever the result, Olivier
will have completed a magnificent round-the-world
voyage and demonstrated his usual mastery over
every technical and human issue".
Bruno
Peyron, holder of the Jules Verne Trophy: "I
share their disappointment, because I know only
too well the amount of energy, effort and investment
that goes in to a project of this scale. They
really don't deserve it, because they've had a
fantastic voyage and one of the best performances
ever seen in the Jules Verne Trophy. They've also
demonstrated the huge potential of the trimaran".
François
Cuillandre, Mayor of Brest: "The city of
Brest is one of the oldest and most loyal supporters
of Olivier de Kersauson's record voyages. But
this loyalty goes beyond the actual results of
his record attempts. Brest has a long tradition
of welcoming great navigators and I've no doubt
that the people of this city will be giving a
unanimous, passionate and heart-felt welcome to
the eleven warriors of Geronimo".
Geronimo
is expected to arrive in Brest on or after Tuesday
18 March, since the current weather position seems
unlikely to change significantly before 20 March.
www.grandsrecords.com
Geronimo's position : Day 64
Geronimo's position at 03:00 GMT
