Falling behind

Two difficult days for Olivier de Kersauson's Geronimo. But forecast is now much improved

Day 27
Position at 2317GMT: 50°36S 121°40E
24 hour run: 358 miles
Average speed: 14.92 knots

Tonight's position shows Geronimo to be roughly a day's sail behind Cheyenne's equivalent position at the end of day 27 of her current circumnavigation, although they are still more than 1,100 miles ahead of the present record set by Bruno Peyron's Orange in 2002. Getting behind Cheyenne has come about due to some very fast runs Steve Fossett's maxi cat was making at this point in her voyage, while Oliver de Kersauson and the crew on his Cap Gemini Schneider Electric-sponsored tri have had to tackle less than idea conditions as a depression headed across their path yesterday.
The good news for the French tri is that they are now back into the more regular westerly airflow and this should stay with them over the next few days. At present the isobars are being compressed between the Southern Ocean depression they are riding and a high pressure system that is heading east and will be centred over Tasmania by Saturday.