Slow boat to Tahiti

Geronimo sets a new 'record' between Australia and the French Pacific island paradise

After an agonising trip that has tested both skipper and crew, Olivier de Kersauson's Capgemini and Schneider Electric-sponsored trimaran Geronimo has crossed the finished line of the Tahiti Nui Challenge in the Port of Papeete, Tahiti. The maxi multihull has now set the benchmark for the record from Sydney to Tahiti of 13 days, 08 hours, 25 minutes and 56 seconds, with this record still to be verified by the WSSRC. Geronimo crossed the finish line at 07:34:57 UTC on 08 August 05.

Many of the miles on this trip were covered at very low speeds due to frustrating weather conditions. At times the giant grey trimaran was travelling at just three knots boats speed with an escort of dolphins showing off to the 11 crew as they sped past the floats and centre hull.

The first few days of the trip had picture perfect conditions for the 34m yacht and she was travelling across the Tasman Sea tracking north of New Zealand at good speeds. After reaching the top of New Zealand Geronimo encountered days of mill pond conditions with extremely light breezes that tortured the crew as they continually manoeuvred the boat to utilise what little breeze they found.

Crossing from the Tasman Sea to the South Pacific Ocean, Geronimo had days of reasonable winds then none which tested the record holding crew who recently set a memorable record for the circumnavigation of Australia.

On their arrival, skipper Olivier de Kersauson commented: "We are pleased to be in the beautiful waters of Tahiti and to have set this new record. We hope many others will try and do better and get to experience this piece of South Pacific paradise".

The City of Papeete have a traditional welcome planned for de Kersauson who will be presented with a newly struck trophy of an oar made by event partner Perles de Tahiti. The captain of the Papeete harbour Captain Pelletier will welcome the boat along with a Tahitian hero, Tavąe, a fisherman who survived 115 days at sea.

The Tahiti Nui Challenge has now set a new benchmark record following the rules of the WSSRC for a Sydney to Tahiti passage. The distance for this record is approximately 3310 nautical miles.

Now that Geronimo is in Tahiti she will spend some time in this south Pacific paradise before heading to the west of the USA to attempt a number of records in the Pacific and Asia regions. First on the list will be the 2,215 mile Los Angeles to Hawaii Transpac record which stands at five days, nine hours, 18 minutes and 26 seconds, set by Bruno Peyron in 1997 on the 26m catamaran Explorer.