Geronimo's record for 2,215 mile Los Angeles Honolulu Challenge ratified by WSSRC

The four days, 19 hours, 31 minutes and 37 seconds record for the Los Angeles to Honolulu transpacific passage set by Capgemini and Schneider Electric’s maxi trimaran Geronimo has been ratified by the WSSRC (World Speed Sailing Records Council).

The record for the fastest boat to sail the 2,215 mile passage is now held by Olivier de Kersauson and his 10-man Franco American crew. The start and finish lines for this record are those that are also those used by the fleet that race in the traditional bi-annual Transpac race.

“We are pleased with our results from the last three records and how the boat has handled the conditions. We have been lucky to race in very beautiful parts of the world and have fantastic successes,” commented skipper and record holder de Kersauson.

Now the holder of three new records which they have set around the pacific region over the last six months, Geronimo is currently on the way back to San Diego and is expected to arrive this weekend. The boat will be kept at Driscolls Boatyard on Shelter Island and will undergo maintenance and preparations for the next record – the WSSRC ratified Transpacific East to West San Francisco (USA) to Yokohama (JPN) record – which de Kersauson and his crew on Geronimo will attempt in early 2006 (weather dependent).

This 4,482 mile record currently stands at 19 days, 15 hours, 18 minutes and 9 seconds and was set by Steve Fossett (USA) onboard the 60ft trimaran Lakota in May of 1996. Fossett averaged a boat speed of 9.51knots when this record was set.