20.01.2008
Press Release No.55
GROUPAMA 3 DUE TO SET OFF ON 24TH JANUARY?
Just hours after the victorious arrival of Francis Joyon in Brest, the crew of
Groupama 3 announce a new passage to Code Orange, synonymous with a possible
departure on the Jules Verne Trophy attempt within the next 4 days. If this
weather window is confirmed, the 31.50 metre maxi trimaran could leave its home
port in Lorient on the afternoon of Wednesday 23rd January, in order to make the
start line off the island of Ushant in the early hours of Thursday 24th.
Waiting for a favourable weather window since 6th December 2007, Franck Cammas
and his nine crew have already seen two gaps open up and then close again (on
24th December and 1st January). In this way they know all to well how decisive
these next few days will be for their starting bid.
Interestingly, were Groupama 3 to cross the start line off Ushant next Thursday,
it would set off three years to the day after Orange II, current holder of the
Jules Verne Trophy with a time of 50 days 16 hours 20 minutes and 4 seconds.
The gap on Thursday 24th January viewed by Sylvain Mondon, weather expert on
Groupama 3
“The window we’re studying is narrow, only lasting a matter of hours and it
emanates from a rather atypical situation for the start of a round the world
record attempt. Indeed, the Azores high, which is currently positioned fairly
North, is climbing up towards the English Channel whilst repelling a cold front.
Ahead of this front, we can observe a 10-15 knot SW’ly wind, but this is set to
clock round to the NW for a few hours, kicking up between 20 and 30 knots of
breeze. Today, we can see this phenomenon occurring in the early hours of
Thursday 24th January.
With this gap being linked to the extensive high pressure, we'll have to keep a
close eye on the movements of the Azores High over the next few days, as if it
shifts over faster than forecast, the window could close.”
Bravo Mr Joyon!
In Brest Harbour last night, at 2339 GMT to be precise, Francis Joyon rounded
off his solo circumnavigation in style after setting out on 23rd November 2007.
The skipper of the IDEC trimaran completed the theoretical 22,000 mile course in
just 57 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 6 seconds, that is 14 days better than
the previous time held by British sailor Ellen MacArthur since 2005. Quite
simply extraordinary! An exploit which Franck Cammas and Franck Proffit
congratulated him on this morning.
Franck Cammas, skipper of Groupama 3
“Hearty congratulations! I've naturally been following the whole record and
Francis has sailed an exemplary Round the World on every level; whether it be
for steering his boat, or the global strategy and management of his race. He was
particularly successful in the first part of his course with some very fast
weather sequences, but then he knew how to keep up this pace all the way to the
finish, despite some tricky passages to negotiate. We’re not going out to tackle
the same record, since we're in crewed configuration, but what he has just
achieved is extremely motivating!”
Franck Proffit, head of operations and watch leader on Groupama 3
“It’s exceptional… there is no other word for it. I am extremely happy for him
as he really deserves this. Francis is one of the fastest ocean racers in solo
configuration and he has shown this in other classes of boat as well as this.
Today, he heads a very fine project, at the helm of a very fine boat and he has
known how to get the very best out of the weather. The alchemy of all these
factors has rightly given him this fabulous success today. My sincere
congratulations to this great monsieur.”
“Jules Verne” crew on Groupama 3
Watch leader – helm: Franck Cammas (Skipper), Franck Proffit, Stève Ravussin
Second helm: Frédéric Le Peutrec / Loic Le Mignon / Sébastien Audigane
No.1: Ronan Le Goff / Jan Dekker / Jacques Caraës
Navigator: Yves Parlier
Onshore weather expert: Sylvain Mondon (Météo France)
Key Figures
Record 5 – Jules Verne Trophy
21,760 miles, from the start of a line, which is virtually defined between the
island of Ushant and Lizard Point lighthouse (UK). Crewed circumnavigation
leaving the Capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin and the Horn to port.
Time to beat: 50 days 16 hours 20 minutes and 4 seconds – Average speed: 17.89
knots
Record held by Bruno Peyron, aboard the maxi-catamaran Orange 2, since March
2005.
Records set by Groupama 3
May 2007: Discovery Route (Cadiz -San Salvador), 3,884 miles
7 d 10 h 58 min 53 sec, at an average speed of 21.7 knots (- 2 d and 2 h /
previous record)
June 2007: Miami - New York, 947 miles
Time: 1 d 11 h 5 min 20 sec, at an average speed of 27 knots (- 18 h / previous
record)
July 2007: Greatest distance covered in 24 hours
794 miles, at an average speed of 33.08 knots (27 miles more than the previous
record)
North Atlantic Record (New York – Lizard Point), 2,925 miles
4 days 3 hours 57 minutes 54 seconds, at an average speed of 29.26 knots (- 4 h
and 26 min / previous record)
Groupama and Franck Cammas: 100% trust!
Loyalty and commitment have characterised the partnership between Franck Cammas
and Groupama for the past ten years. Indeed, thanks to the constant, determined
support of the mutual benefit insurance company, Franck Cammas has built up an
impressive track record. Starting off with Groupama, the first of its name, back
in 1998, the adventure continued with Groupama 2 launched in 2004, then with
Groupama 3 in 2006. In 10 years, Franck has stood out in all forms of
competition, totalling 56 races, 49 in which he gained podium places and 28
victories.
During the maxi-trimaran record attempt, find us at the Groupama Race HQ
located at 21 boulevard Malesherbes, 75008 Paris (open from Monday to Friday
from 0930 to 1900 hours (French time) and from Saturday to Sunday 1030 to 1700
hours (French time).
Press Office: Welcome On Board
BP 30 241 - 56102 Lorient Cedex - bienvenue@welcomeonboard.fr
Tiphaine Combot-Seta + 33 6 30 73 30 41
Marie Le Berrigaud (start and finish) + 33 6 03 49 93 04
Vincent Borde + 33 6 07 68 18 95
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