Across the Equator

First tick in the box for Steve Fossett and the crew of Cheyenne

Having reached the equator late this morning, Cheyenne pushes relentlessly South at nearly 20 knots, reeling off 234 miles since 0510 this morning for a total 452 nm over the past 24 hrs (avg spd 18.8 kts) in pursuit of Bruno Peyron's 2002 round the world sailing record.

With some 3,100 nm gone along the route the big cat has now averaged over 16 kts from the start 8.5 days ago and hopes to catch up to Orange's 2002 record track within the next several days.

"Our first objective is now satisfied: reaching the Equator in less than 9 days (our crossing time was 1138z, so time to Equator was 8 days 6 hours 28 minutes)," Steve Fossett emailled from the boat. "We experienced the frustration of a start pattern gone bad, which left us slow off Portugal and required extra miles south because we could not cut across an area of very light winds.

"Now our weather fortunes have changed. We just made the easiest crossing of the Doldrums any of the crew has experienced - good boat speed all the way. At one point our distance behind the record pace of Orange was approximately 650 miles, but now it is reduced to less than 100 miles.

"Throughout Cheyenne has been sailed well and suffered no equipment problems - except the breakage of one gennaker - which was successfully repaired. The difference in results is remarkably dependent on the winds, but if we sail well the luck with winds should average out.

"In the end, it will be a fair test whether we can sail around the world faster than the record held by Bruno Peyron on Orange."