Bare poles

Olivier de Kersauson and Geronimo line up to pass a mammoth depression

Day 31
Position at 2317GMT: 51°36 S 169°04 E
24hr run: 412 miles
Average speed: 17.18 knots

The two days haven't been brilliant for Olivier de Kersauson and the crew of Geronimo who at present are passing to the south of New Zealand. Over the last two days they have notched up 24 runs of 317 and 412 miles and although they are still some 1,274 miles ahead of Orange's relative end of day 31 position, they are now some 985 miles behind Cheyenne.

The weather is also not behaving itself. To their northwest a big high pressure system is dominating the weather over the Tasman Sea, but ahead there is a horrific intense and giant 968mb depression... At present this is centred at 49degS 168degW but tomorrow the depression looks set to park up with its twin centres at 52degS 166degW and 55degS 156degW. Anticipating this, Geronimo is heading north to leave the depression to their south but over the course of today will be sailing into increasingly strong SSWerly breeze. De Kersauson will be cursing (he is good at this though...) because taking Geronimo north will add to their mileage, putting them even further behind Cheyenne, who at this stage was making huge mileage through the South Pacific.

On board the tri's anemometer readout rarely fell below 45 knots today and Geronimo at times was sailing under her mast alone. It became difficult to move, everything was soaking wet and icy cold, the sea was monstrous, with a westerly swell and 7m waves coming from the south. Watch leader Didier Ragot was suffering with his back, and multiple injuries and fatigue were making manoeuvres dangerous.

"CRAPPY SEA...BRRRRR
VERY HARD ASKING MYSELF HOW LONG WE CAN
CARRY ON IN THESE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS
GET THE FEELING THAT WINTERS
ALREADY HERE WIND ROTATIONS VERY BRUTAL
AND UNSAILABLE LATER OLIVIER"