Hanging in there

Geronimo rockets across the Indian Ocean

Day 21
Position at 2317: 47°36 S 57°23 E
24 hour run: 541.88nm
Average speed: 22.58 knots

The next 24 hours will see Geronimo having to negotiate the Kerguelen archipelago in the middle of the Indian Ocean. At present she is lying to the north of a major Southern Ocean depression at 58degS and the strong westerlies combined with the steep shelving of the ocean bottom around the archipelago is a recipe for disaster if not handle cautiously. Thus for the last day Geronimo has been heading slightly north of east to get them around the top of the archipelago in the exact same way Steve Fossett and Cheyenne did almost three weeks ago.

In Geronimo's virtual battle with the 'ghost' of Cheyenne, this evening's position report shows them approximately 15 miles behind. This is hardly surprising as at this point Cheyenne had scored her best run of her voyage so far - 573 miles.

Once Geronimo is round the top of the Kerguelens tomorrow afternoon we suspect she will dive south again as ahead a fresh low is developing to the north and it is likely skipper Olivier de Kersauson will want to stay in the favourable winds to the north of the depression he is currently riding.