Indian Ocean match race

Geronimo just ahead of Cheyenne's virtual position heading across the Indian Ocean

Day 20
Position at 2317: 48°46S 43°56E
24 hour run: 520 miles
Average speed: 21.70 knots

A virtual match race is going on at present between Olivier de Kersauson's maxi-trimaran Geronimo and the ghost of Cheyenne's track as the French Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric-sponsored boat heads across the Indian Ocean. The latest position for Geronimo shows her to be just 21 miles ahead of Cheyenne's end of day 20 position midway between Prince Edward Island and the French island of Crozet, so some 40 miles down on their progress against the American cat. She is of course well ahead of Orange's 2002 record by a margin of around 750 miles.

The conditions for Geronimo look set to be pretty consistent in the short terms. At present they are sailing to the north of a Southern Ocean depression centred at 57degS.

The French team will have to keep their pedal to the metal as over the next 24 hours Cheyenne covered 573 miles.