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24 February 2003
Jules Verne Challenge Update: Day 24
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Ellen and Crew in Kingfisher 2
www.ellenmacarthur.com
www.teamkingfisher.com
Day 24 from start: BAROMETER PLUMMETING, BIG STORM APPROACHING
Saturday, 22 February 2003
SUMMARY: 0700
GMT 22.2.03 (position taken at 07:16 GMT)
Position: 50 25 'S 52 06 'E (approx.
location 660 miles west of Kerguelen Islands)
Ahead/Behind the record:
12 hour 36 minutes Ahead of Orange (using WP6)
Ahead/Behind Geronimo: 68 hours
47 minutes behind Geronimo (using WP7/longitude 52 00'S 115 07'E,
due South of Cape Leeuwin)
DAY 23 24 hour run (point to point):
Kingfisher 353 nm, Orange 307 nm, Geronimo 550 nm
End DAY 23 distance to go (on theoretical
course): KF2 15845 nm, 16046 Orange nm, Geronimo 14744 nm
Boat speed: 15 knots
Course: 094
Distance to WP6 46 00'S / 70 00'E 200
miles north of Kerguelen Islands: 761 nm (theorectical shortest
distance)
IN BRIEF:
“I DON’T THINK I’VE EVER SEEN THE
BAROMETER DROP SO FAST...15 millibars in 8 hours, its extraordinary”
commented Ellen early this morning as KINGFISHER2 battled in to
30 knot headwinds from the north east as a fast moving depression
approaches them from the west.
DIFFICULT TACTICAL CHOICES: KINGFISHER2 has been
sailing slowly on the wind this morning, in very difficult seas,
holding her northerly position to ensure she is not so close to
the middle of the new low pressure system that has 65 to 70 knot
winds at its centre. The judgement to make is between bearing away
and sailing fast but ending at the centre of the low – or hold
height and waiting until the wind turns to the north west for a
more favourable angle.
THE NORTH EASTERLY WIND preceding the low’s
arrival is unusual but is caused by another low pressure system
moving south from Madagascar to their north east, modifying the
wind gradient.
GERONIMO SLOWED BY LIGHT WINDS NORTH OF CAPE HORN...its
not all going to plan for de Kersauson as he grinds to halt after
rounding Cape Horn
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