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Geronimo sets record to Cape Horn
LONDON, England -- Geronimo, skippered by Frenchman Olivier de Kersauson, has rounded Cape Horn in a record time as it continues on its way to becoming the fastest boat around the world. The Jules Verne Trophy record stands at 64 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes and 24 seconds, set by Bruno Peyron sailing Orange in 2002. On Thursday night after being at sea for 40 days and 16 hours, the giant trimaran had taken one day and 10 hours off the record from Ushant, France to the cape. Re-entering the Atlantic Ocean, de Kersauson has now passed the worst of the obstacles in the circumnavigation and looks set to break the record. Geronimo had a hard time after passing south of New Zealand and lost over one day on the Pacific leg to Cape Horn as it was forced to sail a long way north to avoid violent storms. Geronimo sailed 350 miles further than Orange to reach Cape Horn, covering 18,387 miles at an average speed of 19.18 knots. "It's been impossible for us to go for a classic southerly route. As well as that, we've encountered ice at unusually high latitudes," de Kersauson said. "This Southern Ocean was neither enjoyable nor emotionally moving, and far from beautiful thanks to the fog and drizzle. "There was none of the magic and grandeur that so often compensates for the extreme cold and isolation," he added. There was still more than 7,000 miles to sail to the finish, but at least de Kersauson and his 10 French crew no longer have to face the danger of freezing fog and icebergs. "Rounding the Horn symbolises that this hard and violent episode is closed. Naturally, we've still got some hard blows to come, but it won't be all the time," said de Kersauson. Geronimo's rival, Kingfisher2, skippered by Briton Ellen MacArthur, was more than three days behind the pace. MacArthur lost time on Thursday when she slowed to make repairs after hitting an unidentified underwater object. Records set by Geronimo during the 2003 Jules Verne Trophy attempt.• Ushant to the Equator: 6 days, 11 hours, 26 minutes (1 day, 10 hours, 34 minutes ahead of Bruno Peyron in Orange) • Ushant to the Cape of Good Hope: 16 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes (2 days, 4 hours, 5 minutes ahead of Orange) • Ushant to Cape Leeuwin: 26 days, 4 hours, 53 minutes (3 days, 2 hours, 29 minutes ahead of Orange) • Ushant to Cape Horn: 40 days, 16 hours and 16 minutes (1 day 10 hours and 36 minutes ahead of Orange)
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