Cheyenne Day2–Hopscotching Weather Systems: Wetass Supremo Steve Fossett said that the first two days of his non-stop, globe-girdling sailing record bid would be complex. And it has been. Fossett’s 125-cat, “Cheyenne,” has been bobbing and weaving its way south, never going much more than 20 knots, and sometimes slowing to 4 or 5. After 2 days, “Cheyenne” had only covered 575 miles. Normally, she could cover all that in one good day. So Fossett and his crew are lagging behind the record pace, and the first few daily runs of current record holder “Orange” (see comparative positions here). Fossett, as is his style is staying cool:

“We didn’t actually stop for lunch, but we did hit an unexpected pocket of High pressure earlier today – and have missed one of our weather gate options. But we are finally going again and plan to head West until later tonight, when we will turn South and head straight for the Canaries, where we expect to pick up the Trades and a strong ride South. We’ll be satisfied to get to the equator 8-1/2 days from the start.”

8.5 days would be fine (it would be about a half day behind Orange’s transit). It’s a long, long track with lots of opportunities to make gains. But “Cheyenne” better get some pace on. Last night, TWC’s favorite Frenchman, Olivier De Kersauson, started his Jules Verne record bid in his huge trimaran. Typically, De Kersauson, who has more Jules Verne record attempts than anyone on the planet, announced that if he didn’t like the weather and his progress after 3 days…he would just turn around, go back to the start and wait for a better weather window. Hopefully, that won’t be necessary. Because right now, we have the global match race of the decade in progress…..



In the American corner….



In the French corner….