Jules Verne Trophy - Orange II - Geronimo - Cheyenne zur Übersicht 01 March 16:00 Sailing beneath the moon. [1 /3 /2004 ] 1 /3/2004] All continues to go very well on board the Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric trimaran. It’s true that the number of sea miles covered point-to-point is not spectacular at the moment, but their progress towards the Equator is regular and very fast. Geronimo sails downwind like any other boat, but with less angle between gibes. Under one-reefed index and gennaker, the trimaran was making an effortless 25 knots plus this morning as she headed just east of south. ”We don’t want to keep on moving west” says the skipper, who goes on to explain that since the Doldrums are not clearly established to the east, there is no longer any reason to go for the longitude option to cross the Equator. “heading dead south, Geronimo is making very reasonable progress in the right direction. We’re occasionally hitting 30 knots, but not all the time. Racing before the wind at these speeds beneath the moon on a silver sea is absolutely wonderful- really something!” The sea conditions are also good for fast sailing, even if “from time to time there is a ‘hole’, which is a bit tricky. You’re sailing sheet in hand, and the helmsman must anticipate when the wave will catch the stern of the boat. This demands a lot of concentration and leaves little time for chatting...” The aim is to get back up to record-beating time as quickly as possible and take the shortest possible route through the intertropical convergence zone. Earlier today Geronimo crossed the route of Jean Luc Van Den Heede, recently emerged from the Doldrums on the return leg of his single-handed circumnavigation against the prevailing winds. DAY 4 GERONIMO (Cap Gemini/Schneider Electric) 22°17N – 18°58W 438 nautical miles in 24 hours, at an average speed of 18.25 knots. Distance to the Equator: 1,382 nautical miles 2002 Record 21°35N – 23°21W 471.94 nautical miles in 24 hours, at an average speed of 19.66 knots Distance to the Equator: 1,299 nautical miles ORANGE II 24°28N – 21°14W 503 nautical miles in 24 hours, at an average speed of 20.94 knots Distance to the Equator: 1,484 nautical miles Press Relations RIVACOM Régis Rassouli Tel : +33 (0) 2 98 43 21 50 regis@rivacom.fr Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE