Thursday 20th December 2007
Press Release 25
Single-handed record attempt aboard a mulithull
D+3: LIKE A FLYING FISH
At the latitude of the Canaries
In three days, Sodeb’O has been making an average of over 20 knots of boatspeed
at the latitude of the Canaries.
Indeed, Thomas Coville has pointed out to us
how ephemeral the seasons are when you're at sea on a multihull. Setting out in
an icy cold at the start of the week, Thomas has already removed his fleece.
Today he is sailing in a T-Shirt in the knowledge that in three days time, he
will be enduring the sticky humidity of the equatorial zones and in another ten
the hat, gloves and furry boots will be out again with the entry into the Indian
Ocean.
A great introduction then for Sodeb’O and its skipper, who confirm that "the
boat slips through the sea exceptionally well. When the leeward float disappears
into the water, it re-emerges without any harsh acceleration. In the same sea
state, I feel safer than on a 60 footer, which are boats which are more aerial,
more bird-like, thanks to the foils. The maxi-trimaran Sodeb’O is closer to a
fish. Like an animal, it doesn’t struggle with the water, it passes through it
without stopping".
As regards speed, Thomas recognises how impressed he’s been when the boat is
slipping along at 30 or 35 knots, "at high speeds". The skipper details that he
has to permanently control the subtle balance between the desire for speed and
the management of the duration. A round the world involves 70 days or 10
transatlantic crossings in succession with 25 knots as the target speed!
As regards the record, he’s not thinking about it and "doesn’t want to measure
himself – at least not straightaway – either against Ellen (MacArthur)’s course
or that of Francis (Joyon). In any case, we don’t have the same conditions at
the same latitude and we’re not racing together in contrast with a race, which
you experience from day to day with your adversaries".
The atmosphere is proving to be studious aboard Sodeb’O and inevitably the start
has been fairly tricky to manage on an emotional level: "In three days you go
from breakfast with your children to the solitude of the ocean. I’m remaining
concentrated on what I have to do. Life aboard has become organised now that the
conditions are more peaceful. I’ve got out my weekly bag of food, which is full
of nice things. I've also run my iPod but unfortunately there was a squall at
that point! "
Listen to and download the whole radio session on the site:
http://www.windreportmedia.com/sailing/sodebo/audio/tc201207a_fr_e.mp3 or in the
press area on the site: www.sodebo-voile.com
Sound contact - Windreport'
Corentin Duroselle: +33 (0)2 40 84 30 00 / +33 (0)6 63 02 80 71 /
cod@windreport.com
Follow the latest on the maxi trimaran Sodeb'O on the website:
www.sodebo-voile.com
PRESS CONTACTS / CHAMPS.MEDIAS
Corine Renié-Péretié: +33(0)6 07 48 17 51
Mathilde Mermod: +33(0)6 22 93 36 81
Julia Huvé: +33 (0)6 63 28 81 48
Email: sodebo@champsmedias.fr
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