Multihull Mania–Geronimo Charging Hard: Cheyenne got from the English Channel to Australia’s Cape Leeuwin, and then Cape Horn, in world record time. But Olivier De Kersauson doesn’t really like letting anyone else steal his glory (or records) on the round-the-world course. So he’s pushing Geronimo hard across the Indian Ocean, and if he keeps it up Fossett’s recently minted records will soon be back in French hands. Geronimo still has 1856 miles to Cape Leeuwin, and perhaps 6,000 miles to Cape Horn, but right now the 110-foot trimaran is more than 100 miles ahead of Cheyenne’s blazing pace, and knocking off a steady string of 500-plus mile days.

For the moment, Steve Fossett and his team–cruising past the Falklands–are preoccupied only with Bruno Peyron and Orange 2002’s circumnavigation. Despite all their problems, they are a hefty 2 days ahead of the record pace. But they’ve got tricky light airs ahead and will need to fix their mainsail track (so they can hoist the full main) if they are going to have any chance of keeping that lead. There’s a lot of work to do, but you can sense the relief among the crew now that Cape Horn is behind them and they are heading for warmer weather and the finish. Here’s crew man Fraser Brown:

“Everyone are extremely happy that we are finally around, for one we say goodbye to the southern ocean where we have seen killer whales, icebergs, albatross the Aurora Australis ( easier known as the southern lights ) big breeze, the storm kite, the storm jib, and extremely confused water and now we start heading north up the Atlantic into the warmth and to the finish…We have another 7500nm to go but this doesn’t really sound like alot considering the mind frame you are in about sailing round the world. Life on board has already changed dramatically as everyone starts taking mid layers off the extra pair of socks the gloves have already gone and the spray jackets are coming out, it’s a good feeling.”

Cheyenne will have to average about 13-14 knots through the water to take the record. So far she has managed 18.98…



Chores, Chores, Chores: “So, maybe we should get going on that mainsail track repair. Umm, anybody up for going 143 feet into the sky?”

(Photo: Nick Leggatt