North Pacific crossing (San Francisco - Yokohama)

by Kate Jennings on 5 Apr 2008 Leaving San Francisco on Saturday 29 March in a bid to smash the North Pacific crossing record, Lionel Lemonchois and his ten crew are spending their sixth day at sea this Friday.

Already they’re approaching the symbolic halfway mark in the course aboard the maxi-catamaran in the colours of LCF Rothschild Group. Given their lead of over 585 miles on the reference time, the second half of the course for the men of Gitana 13 augurs extremely well.

After a rather inhospitable start to the course, Lionel Lemonchois and his crew have benefited from some ideal conditions over the past 48 hours to devour the miles.

In so doing, they have consolidated their lead over the current record holder, Olivier de Kersauson and his crew aboard Geronimo, who achieved a time of 14 days 22 hours 40 minutes and 41 seconds

Currently on starboard tack, trucking down the southern edge of the vast zone of high pressure to their north, the sailors of Gitana Team are preparing to negotiate a new ridge of high pressure this evening. At that point Lionel Lemonchois and his men will have to put in a gybe.

North Pacific crossing (San Francisco – Yokohama):

Time to beat – 14 days 22 hours 40 minutes 41 seconds

Departure from San Francisco – on Saturday 29 March at 22h45’45’’ UT

Latest finish date to beat the record - Sunday 13 April at 21h25’26’’ UT

Speed: 24 knots – Heading: 299°

Lead over the current record: 585 miles

Distance left to go: 2,472 miles