JV Jumble–Cheyenne Kicking Ass: Well, Stevie Fossett and his crew didn’t quite notch up a 600 mile day, hitting 584 for the best run of this record bid as they rocketed along at speeds up to 34 knots in perfect Southern Ocean conditions–25-30 knots of reaching wind, and flat seas ahead of the cold front they are racing. The good conditions are expected to last about another day, and if they do (and nothing on the boat breaks) they will hurl Cheyenne later today past Cape Leeuwin in record time (see chart here). In 2003 Geronimo got from the English Channel to this Great Cape in 26 days and 5 hours, and Cheyenne is on track to break that mark by about half a day. Fossett and his big cat may also take the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Leeuwin record (currently 7 days, 14 hours), but this is nip and tuck. This has got to have Fossett grinning from ear to ear. Geronimo’s 2003 JV run was lightning fast, and set many of the course segment records (it was also tragic; she ran out of wind in the North Atlantic after leading Orange 2002 by days most of the way around). To be ahead of Geronimo’s 2003 pace at this point after a miserably slow run to the Equator is totally unexpected and has Cheyenne poised to put up a big number.

But to do it, she’ll have to steer in the right direction, which isn’t always easy in the Southern Ocean. Here’s watch leader Brian Thompson:

“The magnetic variation here is huge, we have just passed through a point near the Kergeulens that had 60 degrees of W variation, and by the time we reach Australia it will be back down to 0. We are passing less than 1000 miles to the north of the South Magnetic Pole and the lines of variation come pouring out from this point, so are changing very fast for our passage. Up on deck we have compass heading displayed and additionally course over Ground True as a reference, and to prove we are really sailing east and not 150 as the compass is telling us. “

And the stress on the boat and gear has got to be building….



“Uh-oh. According to the instruments we’re heading for Sri Lanka…Wait, it’s warm there, isn’t it?”

(Photo: Nick Leggatt)