Orange II crosses line

Peyron in hot pursuit of Geronimo on Jules Verne course

Orange II set off on her second attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy record this morning. Bruno Peyron and the crew of the maxi-catamaran crossed the start line for their latest attempt on the non-stop round the world record at 08:01:43 GMT.

The 120ft maxi-cat crossed the line between the Lizard and the Creac'h light house on Ushant in bright early morning sun and a choppy sea. Sailing under main and staysail, skipper Bruno Peyron was at the helm.

To better their own record for the non-stop round the world course Peyron and his crew must recross the line before 16:31:07 on 30 April to beat their time of 64 days 8 hours 37 minutes and 24 seconds.

The weather is being dominated by a giant high in the north Atlantic and a low centred over the Baltic which will put some west into the otherwise northerly wind later today. At present the winds, confirmed on the satellite wind charts, are moderate - around 15-20 knots from the north northeast. Over the course of today the Orange II can expect the wind to build to 35 knots and back.

It is important the Orange II get south as quickly as possible as the forecast charts show that by Saturday the mid-Atlantic high will be knocked southeast and this could conceivably block their path south. It is likely that Peyron will find himself hugging the coast of Africa, as Francis Joyon did on his way south.