28/03/2004
The Geronimo trimaran newsletter n°39
Jules Verne Trophy
Geronimo takes a beating
The trimaran's anemometer readout rarely fell below 45 knots on Day 31 of this attempt. With no sail flown at all, the boat was sailing under her mast alone. It became difficult to move, everything was soaking wet and icy cold, the sea was monstrous, with a westerly swell and 7-metre waves coming from the south. Didier was suffering with his back, and multiple injuries and fatigue were making manoeuvres dangerous. The 11-man French crew have taken a real beating over the past two days.
"CRAPPY SEA BRRRRR
VERY HARD ASKING MYSELF HOW LONG WE CAN
CARRY ON IN THESE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS
GET THE FEELING THAT WINTERS
ALREADY HERE WIND ROTATIONS VERY BRUTAL
AND UNSAILABLE LATER OLIVIER"
A short period of respite is expected this afternoon before part two of the beating begins tonight (dawn in the antipodes). With "only" 40 knots of southerly wind, this new "punch-up" is forecast to sweep an area from 40°S to 60°S east of New Zealand and is moving rapidly east, where a very deep depression is now stationary at 52°S, right across the route to the Horn. A welcome toast from the Pacific, no doubt.
Geronimo's latest news are on
http://www.trimaran-geronimo.com
Positions - DAY 31
GERONIMO
Geronimo at 23:18 GMT last night
51°36S - 169°04E
412 nautical miles in 24 hours, at an average speed of 17.20 knots.
2002 Record
50°45S - 134°54E
407 nautical miles in 24 hours, at an average speed of 16.98 knots.
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