750 miles to go

Geronimo to round Tasmania later today on Round Australia attempt

It is anticipated that by later this afternoon Geronimo, the giant grey trimaran sponsored by Capgemini and Schneider Electric, will sail past South East Cape in Tasmania, which is the southern most point of Australia. Once she rounds this point she will run up the east coast of Tasmania and cross Bass Strait before passing the coast of New South Wales en route to the finish line.

Geronimo is now on the home stretch of her circumnavigation with approximately 750 nautical miles to travel before she crosses the official finish line of The Challenge, setting a new non-stop round Australia record, off the Opera House in Sydney. Overnight the maxi-trimaran travelled approximately 400 miles averaging 18 knots boat speed in a moderating breeze.

"We have had a very nice surf day, beautiful swell, good speed and a lot of pleasure sailing in this conditions, for the first time since North West Cape. Still quite cold, but the crew could get some rest and be in good shape for the last run to the arrival. There is a very good ambiance onboard, very excited to see some land tomorrow," commented skipper Olivier de Kersauson late last night.

When de Kersauson sails from Hobart to Sydney he will most likely remember his winning race when he sailed on Pen Duick III in the 1967 Sydney-Hobart, winning the race on line honours with his sailing mentor Eric Tabarly.

"Once the boat reaches South East Cape in Tasmania and starts to travel up Tasmania’s east coast, the breeze is predicted to be a southwesterly at 20 to 25 knots with the east coast of Tasmania providing some shelter from the big seas Geronimo encountered as she crossed from Cape Leeuwin to South East Cape. It is anticipated that the breeze will swing to the southeast on Friday morning providing a potential Bass Straight crossing for Geronimo of a southeasterly at 15 to 20 knots," commented Richard Whittaker meteorologist from The Weather Channel.

If all goes as anticipated Geronimo will be off Gabo Island on the south east coast of New South Wales tomorrow. The Challenge shore crew are anticipating Geronimo and her crew could achieve a circumnavigation record of Australia of less than 18 days.

Superyachting Challenge™ would like to thank event sponsors - Sergio Tacchini, Globalstar Australia, The Bulletin, MIC – Maritime International Communications, Protector Boats, Tourism New South Wales and The Weather Channel.