BAROMETER PLUMMETING, BIG STORM APPROACHING

SUMMARY : 0700 GMT 22.2.03 (position taken at 07:16 GMT)
Position: 50 25 `S 52 06 `E (approx. location 660 miles west of Kerguelen Islands)

Ahead/Behind the record: 12 hour 36 minutes Ahead of Orange (using WP7) Ahead/Behind Geronimo: 68 hours 47 minutes behind Geronimo (using WP7/ longitude 52 00'S 115 07'E, due South of Cape Leeuwin) DAY 23 24 hour run (point to point) : Kingfisher 353 nm, Orange 307 nm, Geronimo 550 nm End DAY 23 distance to go (on theoretical course) : KF2 15845 nm, 16046 Orange nm, Geronimo 14744 nm

Boat speed: 15 knots
Course: 094
Distance to WP7 52 00'S 115 07'E, due South of Cape Leeuwin 2297nm (theorectical shortest distance)

IN BRIEF:

* "I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN THE BAROMETER DROP SO FAST...15 millibars in 8 hours, its extraordinary" commented Ellen early this morning as KINGFISHER2 battled in to 30 knot headwinds from the north east as a fast moving depression approaches them from the west.

* DIFFICULT TACTICAL CHOICES: KINGFISHER2 has been sailing slowly on the wind this morning, in very difficult seas, holding her northerly position to ensure she is not so close to the middle of the new low pressure system that has 65 to 70 knot winds at its centre. The judgement to make is between bearing away and sailing fast but ending at the centre of the low - or hold height and waiting until the wind turns to the north west for a more favourable angle.

* THE NORTH EASTERLY WIND preceding the low's arrival is unusual but is caused by another low pressure system moving south from Madagascar to their north east, modifying the wind gradient.

* KINGFISHER2's more southerly position has give her a more favourable distance to go which puts her 202 miles ahead of Orange's record

* GERONIMO SLOWED BY LIGHT WINDS NORTH OF CAPE HORN...its not all going to plan for de Kersauson as he grinds to halt after rounding Cape Horn http://www.grandsrecords.com

Listen to Ellen's latest audio this morning...

Kingfisher operating company of the day HORNBACH: Hornbach is the leading warehouse player in the German home improvement market and has interests in several other EU companies. Kingfisher has a 25% stake in the business. http://www.hornbach.de

ELLEN LOG, typos from boat movement included, from yesterday : communications by BT (broadband users check out video and other high speed content at http://kingfisher.sportal.com)

another clear night under the cloudless southern ocean sky... It seems odd not to see the clouds here. The southen cean for most people is an ocean of clouds, gales and just occassional patches of clear sky which make this place on of the most beautifu in the world. But for us we have been spoilt - spoilt with so mny days of blue skies - but frustrated by the lack of breeze at what seems like every corner we turn. The daggerbaord repair - thogugh just 4 hours in time has cost us dearlyA s we are still looking at the same NW winds to our east which we should be rocketing along in.. But there is no pont on looking at theings wich may have happened we must focus on whatt is imminent and CAN happn,and try to use each shift to our advantage. anyway - morale isgood, this sure is abeautifulplace to sail. Seein the island syestrday was fairly ectiting for everyone, and the thought of getting moving again in the next 24 hours is the beggest motivation in itself.. We need a low to sit on or flat sea to go reachigin nd we;ll be off, Iour fingers tough a little cold now are firmly crossed. ex

LATEST EXCERPTS FROM CREW NEWS (see http://www.teamkingfisher.com for full news - click on crew icon to see today's news and all the news since the start...)

NEWS FROM ANDREW PREECE (full article online)
This could be what Neal would concede is our first proper Southern Ocean kicking about to take place. The wind is forecast to move into the north later today and build to around 40 knots as it swings back to north west. If that proves to be the case the next 12 hours will be 4-degree C water fire-hydrant territory which will be cold but quick after which we should be able to set the storm spinnaker and make some miles. We are all looking forward to it with a combination of impatience to get the high speeds pumping again but trepidation at the thought of how miserable life will very soon become.

JULES VERNE INTERMEDIATE TIMES
OMEGA is the official timekeeper of KINGFISHER2 http://www.teamkingfisher.com/omega

JULES VERNE USHANT (START) TO CAPE HORN TIMES:
2003 Geronimo (de Kersauson) 40 days 16 hours 16 minutes 9 seconds 2002 Orange (Peyron) 42 days 2 hours 52 minutes 1997 Sport Elec (de Kersauson) 46 days 16 hours 57 minutes 1994 ENZA (Blake/Know-Johnston) 48 days 2 hours 32 minutes 1993 Commodore Explorer (Peyron) 53 days 6 hours 42 minutes

JULES VERNE USHANT (START) TO CAPE LEEUWIN TIMES:
2003 Geronimo (de Kersauson) 26 days 4 hours 53 minutes
2002 Orange (Peyron) 29 days 7 hours 22 minutes
1997 Sport Elec (de Kersauson) 30 days 16 hours 1 minutes
1994 ENZA (Blake/Knox-Johnston) 29 days 17 hours 53 minutes 1993 Commodore Explorer (Peyron) 33 days 7 hours 48 minutes

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE TO CAPE LEEUWIN TIMES:
2003 Geronimo (de Kersauson) 9 days 14 hours 17 minutes
2002 Orange (Peyron) 10 days 12 hours 42 minutes
Gate to gate Jules Verne record time still held by Sport Elec (de Kersauson) 1997 of 8 days, 23 hours, 17 minutes [a faster time was recorded by Loick Peyron in The Race]

OMEGA official timekeeper of KINGFISHER2'S Jules Verne record attempt http://www.teamkingfisher.com/omega

PARTNER OF THE DAY - OYS: Ocean Yacht Systems are official rigging and hydraulics supplier to KINGFISHER2. http://www.teamkingfisher.com/oys