Across the Equator

First hurdle for Olivier de Kersauson and the crew of Geronimo

Yesterday evening at at 21:41:04 GMT, approaching the end of their eighth day at sea Olivier de Kersauson and the crew of Geronimo crossed the Equator having taken 7 days, 22 hours and 13 minutes since crossing the start line of their latest Jules Verne Trophy attempt. This is consideraly slower than the record Geronimo set for this part of the round the world race track last year, of 6 days, 11 hours, 26 minutes and 21 seconds

At present they are still behind Orange's record but ahead of Cheyenne's relative position - a fact that will no doubt be keeping the crew alive. Their time to the Equator was 8 hours, 4 minutes, 36 seconds faster than Cheyenne.

Despite having completed the first stage of their voyage the weather is not working in their favour at the moment. Yesterday they had their slowest day to date covering just 254.5 miles and unfortunately the prospects are little better today as a localised high pressure system appears to be barring their route south. Once through this though - later today Geronimo should break into the southeasterly trade winds.