Kingfisher2 crossed the start line of the Jules Verne Challenge at 0648 and 49 seconds this morning. Ellen MacArthur and her 13-strong crew finally made it to the start line in 40 knots of wind and rough seas. The forecast is for the wind to increase throughout the day.

Meanwhile Olivier de Kersauson’s giant tri Geronimo is continuing to make good progress and is now two days ahead of the Jules Verne record set by Bruno Peyron last year.

If Geronimo fails to beat Peyron’s time however, Kingfisher2 would need to re-cross the Jules Verne line at least second before 1525 and 13 seconds on 4 April to break the record.