The Southbound Bus

Every major weather system seems to demand its tribute from Geronimo. After an Azores High that was displaced too far to the East, the Doldrums marked the passage of the Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric trimaran by doubling in volume.

Now it’s the turn of the St. Helena High to demand its 15 minutes of fame. Normally centred over the island of Napoleon’s exile, it now sprawls all the way from Argentina to South Africa, literally barring the South Atlantic. Yes, it’s moving towards Africa, but rather slowly and by stretching itself out like slug. The passage to the South is not forecast to open up appreciably until March 10, and even then a long way to the West. The problem is that Geronimo will be there well before then. In reality, these systems are moving too slowly to allow her to exploit her true speed.

Day 10 ended with a point-to-point distance covered of 406 nautical miles; an average of almost 17 knots. The wind was unstable all day, varying in strength from 13 to 20 knots and by 40 degrees in direction. In the first 12 hours of Day 11, the trimaran’s average speed was over 21 knots in less than 16 knots of beam wind. The boat and her crew have been able to make more of their potential in these conditions, but this leg south through the Atlantic is beginning to look more like a bus ride, with a stop at every weather system. Oh for the South, its well-established weather systems and long, high speed tacks!

Day 10 Positions

2002 Record
14°49S – 30°48W
529 nautical miles in 24 hours, at an average speed of 22.08 knots

Full details are available on Geronimo’s website at the address below.