Geronimo – hang on tight, 30+ knots and smokin!
by Sam Crichton 16 Nov 2005 09:10 GMT
Updated information recently received from onboard Geronimo has the maxi multihull yacht sailing in excess of 30 knots boat speed as they head for Diamond Head in Honolulu Hawaii.
Over the last five hours the maxi trimaran of Capgemini and Schneider Electric has averaged 24.4 knots boat speed covering 128 miles and has averaged 23 knots boat speed for the last 26 hours giving them a 555 mile day. Since they started at 19:05:03 UTC on November 13th Geronimo has covered over 1000 miles of the 2225 mile trip.
Geronimo currently has 1139 miles to cover before she crosses the finish line for the Los Angeles Honolulu Challenge in Hawaii and if she can maintain this speed as an average will reach Hawaii at approximately 12:00 UTC on Friday November 18th.
‘We started in very light conditions with very little wind and plenty of fog. In the beginning we lost 120 miles due to the poor conditions but we decided to continue and now we are averaging 25 to 30 knots boat speed. We are within the schedule for the record; it now depends on the weather between now and the finish in Hawaii. The horrible handicap we had at the start is nearly forgotten now,’ remarked skipper Oliver de Kersauson as his ocean record chaser charges to the finish. The crew onboard are in good spirits and enjoying the improved conditions.
Recent GPS for Geronimo is LAT: 28 °13.90N LON: 138°20.01W - UTC Time: 16. November 2005 04:24
Tracking of the progress of this attempt for the Los Angeles Honolulu Challenge record by Geronimo can been seen at www.superyachting.com