25.04.2004
Geronimo arrives at Azores Central.
The Capgemini and Schneider Electric trimaran has arrived ahead of time at the central station of the Azores, the point of departure for high-speed depressions bound for Europe.
Her average speed was 17.5 knots again yesterday; a good average given that she is sailing upwind against the remnants of the trade winds and a massive swell from the North, left over from the deep depression that swept the French coast last week. Neither of which will be a threat in the days ahead, as the weather holidaymakers love proves to be the bane of ocean racers. At the heart of the Azores High, Geronimo must attempt to cover 300 nautical miles today in winds that are getting weaker all the time…
The depression whose northern edge the 11-man crew hope to hook up with between now and tomorrow (unless it arrives too late at the Azores) will not be able to take them as far as the finish line, but will deliver them at the door of another high pressure area that some Anglo-Saxon spell has locked in position west of Ireland. She must therefore cross this anticyclone upwind, before making a dash for the line with northerlies if things go well, or easterlies if they don’t. In negotiating what looks like the ultimate Atlantic obstacle course, she must indextain an average of 360 nautical miles per day.
So why can’t Geronimo have a nice big depression like everyone else? Whether or not she beats the time set by Orange now looks as if it will come down to a matter of a few hours.
DAY 59
GERONIMO (Capgemini / Schneider Electric)
31°33 - 39°32W
Distance covered in 24 hours: 421 nautical miles
Distances to Waypoint 2:
Geronimo: 272 nautical miles
Orange: 445 nautical miles
Geronimo therefore leads by 173 nautical miles.
Press Relations
RIVACOM
Régis Rassouli
Tel : +33 (0) 2 98 43 21 50
regis@rivacom.fr
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