17.02.2004
Cheyenne Day 11: Working South
Slowed progress on Tuesday as Cheyenne traverses ridge of High pressure
17 February 2004 17:10 GMT: With the wind still from the East, but diminishing to only 9 - 11 kts throughout the day Tuesday, Steve Fossett and crew aboard Cheyenne have indextained 12 - 13 kts over the past 12 hours as they continue to work their way South along 30 degrees West longitude - spending today crossing a ridge of High pressure extending on a NW-SE line from the index South Atlantic High.
Ken Campbell, Director of Marine Services for Commanders Weather commented:
"They will just have to cross this ridge - there is nowhere else to go for now. We're expecting improved winds later tonight for a better run overnight, but Wednesday and Thursday will be 'tactical' - continuing to make progress South, but keeping away from the High itself."
Watch Captain David Scully reported late Monday on sailing conditions since the Equator - and the drive South ahead:
"Sail, eat, sail, sleep, sail, how can you beat it?" asks crewmember Damian Foxall. Well, it can take a little out of you, too. Since yesterday's festivities, we have been close reaching in stiffish trades. The boat is working hard, bucking like a mechanical bull as she drives through the frothy blue crests.
We are walking the fine line between making time, and pushing the boat beyond her limits. It was a beautiful night's sailing, the stillnes of the stars and the horned moon counter-pointed by the spray shattering rush of the boat's progress.
Reefing, unreefing, changing headsails, we need to get some longer daily runs in while the going is good.
At the moment we are 80 miles behind Orange's Jules Verne record. We have caught up over 500, but these last few are proving elusive. Adding to our concerns is a complicated development in the South Atlantic High, 20 degrees south of us. According to current progs we hit a wall of light air at about 30 S, right on the doorstep of the reliable 40s. Adrianne and Steve are sweating over a hot nav table to find the wormhole that will release us into the Roaring 40s. Too bouncy to write much today."
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