Earthrace slows in heavy weather

by Rob Kothe on 16 Jun 2008 Day 50 and ahead is the toughest weather of the 2008 Round the World attempt for the bio-diesel fuelled 24 metre trimaran Earthrace.

In the last 24 hours she has struggled, just 278 nautical miles on the leg from Kochi (Cochin) India towards Oman, but she is still 2,500 nautical miles ahead of the 1998 Cable & Wireless record pace.

Skipper Pete Bethune is determined that Earthrace will not suffer any hull damage in this confused and lumpy seaway. Powering along at only 11-12 knots, the boat is not wave piercing at all but riding up and over the waves in deteriorating conditions.

Kiwi weather router Bob McDavitt has forecast the next 24 hours will be the toughest of the entire circumnavigation, with 30-40 knot winds and 5-6 metre seas expected.

You can listen to the full sat phone report from Pete Bethune below.