JV Jumble–Cheyenne Is Scorching: It’s all good on the opposite side of the globe for Steve Fossett and his 12 crew aboard the big cat. Over the weekend, they “claimed” a new record for sailing across the Indian Ocean, hit the geographical halfway point in their voyage, crossed the International Date Line, and nailed their first 600-plus mile day (623 miles). Whew. All that adds up to a more than 2000 miles lead over Orange 2002 (chart here; though Orange is so far back she isn’t even visible anymore).

First, things first: the new record. This is a beautiful gambit by the Fossett team. ‘Til now, the only record anyone paid attention to for the Indian Ocean was Cape of Good Hope to Cape Leeuwin (a record which Fossett and Cheyenne just missed). But, lo’, the CIA World Fact Book (yes, the CIA World Fact Book), says that the Indian Ocean extends from the Cape of Good Hope to Southeast Cape, Tasmania. So Fossett’s guys had a look at previous passages and estimated theirs was fastest. Presto, a new “unofficial” world record which they hope other boats will now try to better. TWC e-mailed Fossett HQ to ask about this “invented” record. A slightly injured Fossett HQ responded that the record was not “invented,” By God, just “identified.” Best of all, using this new geographical standard means that Fossett will probably be able to claim a “new” Pacific record as well. The record breaking world is an interesting one. We’ll see if anyone pays any attention at all.

TWC also sent some e-mail questions to the boat. Nick Leggatt, photographer and onboard limerick champion, responded:

1) What’s the top speed anyone has seen on the speedo? “Top speed I have seen is only just over 33 knots. We haven’t really been trying for really high top end speeds, rather for a good average.”

2) What’s the top wind speed you’ve seen? “Top wind speed was between 50 and 60 knots, and that was crossing the English Channel on the way to the start line! Since the official start I don’t think we have seen much over 40 – once again we are trying to route the boat along a track that will ensure good average boatspeeds – ie one with flatter seas and moderate winds.”

2) How’s the new spinnaker working out? What wind angles and wind speeds do you sail with it? “The new spinnaker has not been used much yet so we are still trying to

figure out the ideal conditions for it. Basically it is for running really deep angles in strong winds but ideally we would rather be sailing faster angles in lighter winds.”

3) What’s the biggest maintenance worry? “As far as maintenance is concerned, obviously the forestay gave us a bit of nasty surprise in the South Atlantic and now that we have repaired it we spend a lot of time checking for any signs of movement in it. Otherwise we have a set daily routine for checking the boat inside and out, from bow to stern, and so far we have a good record of catching maintenance issues before they get out of control. The further we sail the more careful we have to be about looking for general signs of wear on sheets and sails, etc.”

4) What’s the best/worst (it’s the same, I guess) limerick that has been posted in the galley?

“There once was a writer called Tim

who contacted us on a whim

now he wants tales

of wear on our sails

but there is none we can see for him.” (Hmmm, Nick is obviously a bit tired).

Under New Zealand: Kiwis Fraser Brown and Mike Beasley pine for a loved one to the North….

(Photo: Nick Leggatt)