Geronimo back on track
by Sam Crichton 13 Nov 2005 20:44 GMT
Geronimo heads for the open sea on the Los Angeles Honolulu Challenge © ALC / Louis Noel Vivies
Geronimo back on track in the Los Angeles Honolulu Challenge record attempt
After a frustrating start yesterday the crew on the maxi trimaran of Capgemini and Schneider Electric, Geronimo have set off again in their attempt to break the current WSSRC record for the 2225 mile ocean passage from Los Angeles to Honolulu.
Crossing the line for the second time at 19:05:03 UTC (11:05:03 local Pacific time) Geronimo headed out to sea at eight knots boat speed in a five knot breeze from the North-Nor’West. Once Geronimo crossed the start line they will head for the ocean to try and capitalise on the sea breezes.
The decision to restart this attempt for the Los Angeles to Honolulu Challenge record was made when unfavourable weather conditions where experienced by the team onboard Geronimo over the first 12 hours of the record challenge.
To break the current record of five days, nine hours, 18 minutes and 26 seconds set in the 1997 Transpac race by Bruno Peyron the crew have to average a boat speed of 16 knots for the duration of the 2225 mile passage.
Onboard Geronimo is multihull professional Cam Lewis and fellow Team Adventure team member Larry Rosenfeld. Lewis was onboard Explorer with Peyron when he set this eight year old record.
‘We are here to break a record and the restart means we have a greater chance of this with a start earlier in the day we can work our way out to the weather pattern off the coast,’ commented skipper Olivier de Kersauson as he headed off at the helm of his giant grey ocean racer. These weather conditions are typical of this area and Geronimo is making her way offshore to get out of the coastal weather influence.
The Los Angeles Yacht Club with PRO David Cort officiating as starter again assisted with the setting of the start line for this Los Angeles Honolulu Challenge record attempt, with Mike Wathen again officiating the start time for the WSSRC.
Start line coordinates of the Los Angeles Honolulu Challenge are 33°42.8'N 118°20.3'W.
Tracking of the progress of this attempt for the Los Angeles Honolulu Challenge record by Geronimo can been seen at www.superyachting.com