To beat the overall world speed record Steve Fossett and crew need to achieve an average of just 11.74kts

After a 24-hour run of 418 nm (averaging 17.41kts) over the last 24 hours, Steve Fossett’s 125ft catamaran Cheyenne passed the Falkland Islands last night. Now after 41 days at sea, they are 1,109 miles ahead of Orange I’s record at this stage of the challenge, and to beat the overall world speed record they need to achieve an average of just 11.74kts to the finish.

This morning they continue their drive north towards the equator and their position at 0500 this morning was 51 05.333 S55 11.864 W. According to reports from the boat this morning there’s a large (on a NW-SE line) ridge of high pressure which they must which they’ll negotiate later today.