Geronimo past Hobart

24 hours to go in de Kersauson's round Australia record

As Geronimo sailed past the Derwent River and the lights of Hobart early last night, she was round the last point in the official circumnavigation route of Australia for The Challenge. The crew sounded in good spirits and ready for the last leg of the track when she will cross the notorious Bass Straight and head up the New South Wales coast.

At sunrise today the giant grey maxi was passing the spectacular scenery on the northeast coastline of Tasmania at 17 knots, as she prepared to pass Flinders Island and enter Bass Straight. Geronimo was greeted by a brilliant sunrise this morning as she sailed past Eddystone Point and continued her course north to the finish line. French crew member Antoine Deru will celebrate his birthday today as he crosses the waters of Bass Straight and heads for Sydney.

Once the Capgemini and Schneider Electric-sponsored trimaran reaches Sydney, she will have travelled the equivalent distance between Sydney and Los Angeles in the circumnavigation of Australia.

"We are very nervous about the low system which is going to appear offshore Sydney this weekend," commented skipper Olivier de Kersauson. "In this low, there could be winds up to 50 knots, so we really need to be in Sydney before then. Otherwise, everything is okay on board, we will be very happy to arrive and to finish. The only thing is that this finish is very tricky! As usual, we have been alongside Tasmania by night. Each time we sail along beautiful coastlines, it is during the night." De Kersauson is currently sailing in reverse the route he made with Eric Tabalrly in the 1967 Sydney Hobart race.

It is expected that Geronimo will arrive in Sydney Harbour tomorrow, after covered her 6,500 mile journey in less than 18 days. The crew on board are looking forward to a triumphant return after sailing the equivalent of a Mt Everest climb in such a short time frame.

"There is a low pressure area expected to develop tonight and tomorrow morning south of Sydney. The winds are expected to increase by Saturday afternoon from the north east clocking to northwest from Gabo Island to Sydney. A gale warning has been issued for the south coast of New South Wales for tomorrow morning,’ commented Richard Whittaker meteorologist from The Weather Channel.

Superyachting Challenge™ would like to thank event sponsors - Sergio Tacchini, Globalstar Australia, The Bulletin, MIC – Maritime International Communications, Protector Boats, Tourism New South Wales and The Weather Channel.