Five days ahead of record pace in closing stages
by Fossett Challenges 3 Apr 2004 18:25 BST
Steve Fossett and his crew of 12 aboard the 125' maxicatamaran Cheyenne continued their attempt on the Round The World Sailing record through their 56th day Friday with a terrific 590 nm run (averaging 24.6 kts) - as they raced for the finish line drawn by the WSSRC (World Sailing Speed Record Council) between Ouessant island in France and UK landmark 'The Lizard' on the Cornish coast.
The lead over the position of the 2002 RTW record holder (Orange I - 64 days 8 hours 37 minutes, skipper Bruno Peyron) is now 1660 miles across the water - but is estimated at over 5 days based on Orange's 2002 course over the final week.
Crossing the finish line is now estimated for 1200 GMT on Monday (April 5th) with arrival at home base in Plymouth, UK later that evening (see media alert below for details).
Steve Fossett wrote this morning: "The finish is downwind sailing the rest of the way. We will approach Finisterre (the Northwest corner of Spain) then gybe across the Bay of Biscay. Winds for the last day will be excruciatingly light, but at least from the West. - Steve"
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