12.03.2004
The Geronimo trimaran newsletter n°23
Jules Verne Trophy
600 nautical miles in the Roaring Forties.
Geronimo completed her 15th day at sea having covered a distance of 608 nautical miles, at an average speed of over 25 knots, to enter the roaring forties.
Over 1,000 kilometres in a day – what an entry to the Southern Ocean! The 11-man Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric crew are demonstrating in some style that their trimaran’s abilities in slack winds is complemented by an impressive turn of pure speed as soon as weather conditions permit. Being shorter and lighter than a maxi-catamaran, Geronimo has to compensate for her lower power by being more adaptable, more flexible and more responsive. The first to benefit are the helmsmen, who are enjoying themselves more and more. Driving this machine, which has been prepared with the utmost Breton care and attention, is a unique helming experience. A 30-metre boat that reacts to the lightest touch, cleanly and responsively – the signature of a painstaking programme of development conducted by a single team devoted totally to their machine.
This morning, Geronimo continued her powerful run through the South Atlantic at an impressive rate, averaging 23.40 knots point-to-point in the first 12 hours of the day. The decision to avoid going any further south at present has been made to avoid the threat of ice posed by the Antarctic convergence, which extends a long way north until the Indian Ocean is reached. US Navy vessels and other ships have reported large icebergs from 48° South, and it’s not a good idea to cross such a minefield at these speeds. Even though the crew have sophisticated night vision equipment on board, including military Fujinon binocular goggles, changing heading in 25 knots of wind when making headway at the same sort of speed simply cannot be done without trimming the sails to suit the new wind angle.
This would, in turn, require maximum alertness from the two 5-man watches and lead to the need to slow the boat in anticipation. Such obligations would negate any benefit gained by reducing the distance. The route is therefore due east until they reach the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope, slowing down gradually as they approach the centre of the high pressure area. They now expect to pass the Cape of Good Hope within the next 48 hours, a good day ahead of the current record.
Geronimo's latest news are on http://www.trimaran-geronimo.com
Positions - DAY 15
GERONIMO
42°25S – 11°17W
608 nautical miles in 24 hours, at an average speed of 25.36 knots
1,316.80 nautical miles from the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope
2002 Record
35°28S – 20°12W
226 nautical miles in 24 hours, at an average speed of 9.41 knots
1,886.47 nautical miles from the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope
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