Gitana 13 celebrated its first week at sea last night. With a comfortable 551-mile lead over the North Pacific record, the catamaran is making good progress, as the crew prepare to negotiate a cold front later today:

“The passage [of] high pressure proved more difficult than forecast. We had to deal with shifty, fairly light winds throughout the day, which slowed our progress. However, we’re gradually finding more pressure. Gitana 13 is currently under full mainsail and gennaker in around fifteen knots of breeze,” detailed Lionel Lemonchois yesterday.

“We’re heading towards the cold front but we’re also looking a little further along the route as conditions at the end of our course promise to be difficult. The wind will fill in and we should be [hit] by a strong depression system in a little over 72 hours time.”

Data from 5 April at 2130 (UT):

Distance made good: 3,577 miles, at an average speed of 21.41 knots
Distance covered along the great circle route (direct course): 2,604 miles, at an average speed of 15.60 knots
Distance left to go: 1,879 miles
Most distance covered in 24 hours: 612.7 miles (dating back to 3rd April)

For further information, visit www.gitana-team.com .