GERONIMO IS OFF!
Absender: "Team Kingfisher"
Datum: 11. Jan 2003 13:41
Olivier de Kersauson and his 34 metre trimaran GERONIMO crossed the start line of the Jules Verne Challenge at 0300 and 39 seconds GMT this morning. This means that to be beat the existing record of Bruno Peyron (64 days, 8 hours, 37 minutes, 24 seconds), they must return before 11,36:33 on the 16th of March....unless of course KINGFISHER2 lowers the record. That is a question that Olivier of course cannot answer, and the big challenge as always on a Jules Verne attempt is just how hard do you push - too hard and you don't finish, not hard enough, and the record might not be yours....
KINGFISHER2 is in her final preparation mode, with the last sail before departure planned for today.
"Its been a tough couple of months for the team - everyone has worked very very hard, but its paying off, and we hope to be going in to standby mode on Thursday, as planned nearly 6 months ago. Great for Olivier to get off - and we're happier being the hunter, than the hunted....however, its hard to say at present when the next weather window will open up for us." commented Ellen as she prepared for Saturday's sailing sortie from Lorient.
CREW FOCUS : Neal MacDonald is one of the most experienced sailors onboard, having sailing professionally in just about every type of craft, from 18 foot skiffs, to skippering ASSA ABLOY to second place in the last Volvo Ocean Race - and importantly a key part of the Club Med (sistership to KINGFISHER2) crew that won The Race 2000. Neal, also an excellent composite engineer, and has played an particularly important role in the construction of the new mast. He will be one of the 3 watchleaders onboard. "It is the Everest of offshore racing - the record hold lots of esteem,” said MacDonald. “ We want to break the record but whether its by 8 minutes, 25 hours or a few days it doesn't matter. The weather is the most important thing that can make or break a record attempt - getting the right weather all the way round is unusual so that is a key part of the challenge."
His race email is nealrace@kingfisherchallenges.com.
IMPROVEMENTS ON THE BOAT, NO.2 : KINGFISHER2 has a completely new sail inventory, developed with North Sails France and 3DL. The inventory consists of a giant indexsail, two headsails, two gennakers and storm sails...not so many for a 33m boat – but quite a handful to manage onboard at that size! 3DL is a process that involves moulding the sails over 3 dimensional computer controlled moulds – with kevlar threads laid out to match the loading of the sail once it is flying. The benefits are reduced weight, and better shape holding (over time sails lose their optimum shape as they are stretched and pummelled by the wind), which is important over 26,000 miles of ocean. You want to be as fast at the end as you are at the start....
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