ELLEN MAKES UP TIME ON BOURGNON’S RECORD RUN - BUT PAYS THE PRICE: no audio call with Ellen today after she pushed too hard - hitting a wall of fatigue after 8 sail changes in 5 hours during the night followed by 4 sail changes in 4 hours this morning as the wind varies in strength between 12 and 27kts

<> NOW 21H 48M (374 Miles) BEHIND BOURGNON’S RECORD RUN. Ellen is able to head north east making directly for the Lizard point finish line, some 1564 miles away

NEXT 24HRS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THE ATTEMPT as routing software suggests back to back 490 mile days could be possible - but the prediction doesn’t take into account the extreme fatigue experienced after sailing hundreds of miles at a break neck pace.

SOLO SAILOR FATIGUE, putting a reef in, or shaking a reef out takes around 20 minutes of extreme physical work. Changing the headsail configuration despite the relative ease of the furling system can take 10 mins, fitting in eating, navigation, routine maintainance and of course sleep requires a unique balancing act, push too hard and you risk making a major misjudgement, don’t push hard enough - and you won’t break a record.

NEXT MEDIA UPDATE on web 0800gmt tomorrow, email mid-morning

STATISTICS AT 1400GMT 25 JUNE
Elapsed time: 3d 15h 50m
Ahead/behind record: 21h 48m, -374miles
Existing record: 7d 2h 34m 42s
Distance covered: 1291
Distance to finish: 1564
Position: 39 47 33N, 39 29 36W
Average boat speed (VMG) towards finish so far: 14.67
Average boat speed (VMG) now required to beat record: 18.84
Current boat speed: 16knts
Weather conditions: SEE SUMMARY BELOW

WEATHER BRIEFING: from Commander’s Weather to Ellen, 25th June
Fri, June 25
00: 320-340/18-25, now we are heading fast at or just S of the finish line!!
06: 310-330/25-30
12: 310-330/18-25, near 42 30N/38 30W
18: 320-340/25-30 g 35 - new surge of wind
Weather Cloudy to partly cloudy, a few quick hitting, squally showers
Seas 8-12 feet

Sat, June 26
00: 310-330/20-30
06: 290-310/20-25
12: 300-280/20-25, near 47n/28 30w, pour it on speed-wise!!
18: 280-260/18-25
Weather Partly cloudy.
Seas 8-12 feet N Swell

<> WILL HAVE TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE BY 00:44:42 GMT ON TUESDAY 29th JUNE 2004 TO SET A NEW RECORD FOR THE FASTEST SOLO SAILOR TO CROSS THE ATLANTIC…

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