Geronimo reached this waypoint after 41 Days, 16 Hours and 27 Minutes at sea, which is 10 hours ahead of the current Jules Verne Trophy holder (Bruno Peyron), but 48 hours behind the new round-the-world record holder.

Olivier DE KERSAUSON (FRA) and his 10-man crew have had an appalling Pacific crossing marked by deep and powerful depressions, confused and dangerous seas and whole days of fighting against winds of over 50 knots. Even the final approach to the Horn demanded three days of upwind slog, just as if they were sailing around the world the "wrong" way.

Geronimo conquered Cape Leeuwin nearly 2 days, 19 hours ahead of Orange's 2002 time, so the Pacific has really slowed the trimaran's progress, closing uncompromisingly into a pitiless southern winter.

Now the Atlantic opens ahead of the Cap Gemini and Schneider Electric trimaran; its southern half looks tough, but with following winds. Remember that this leg of last year's attempt proved catastrophic, with an almost total absence of wind.

The crew fervently hopes that they have done all the hard work this time round, and can look forward to a rather better welcome from the Atlantic