www.orange.fr
Press Release N° 5
Newport, Monday 16th August 2004
NEW-YORK / CAP LIZARD RECORD
BACK TO "RED CODE" FOR ORANGE II
- Back to "Red Code" for the giant catamaran Orange II ! Which means that it will not be possible to set out within the next 3 days.
- The giant Orange II has, however, left New York in order not to be hit while ashore by what reindexs of Cyclone Charley, which is reaching New York. The boat has thus gone back to Newport where her preparation and training will continue.
- There doesn't seem to be any window of opportunity concerning the weather before the 20th — 21st August.
Having seriously considered the possibility of setting sail this weekend from New York, Orange II's skipper finally decided not to seize this first opportunity in the weather. Bruno Peyron : «The forecast predicted a possible crossing time of around 5 days, which would have been a very good time for this route, but that would not have allowed us to smash the record. Moreover, the erratic movement of a cyclone coming up from Florida at this time of year generally has an effect on the stability of the weather patterns in the North Atlantic. I know from experience that you can't trust the weather forecasts when a cyclone joins up with the low-pressure areas in the North Atlantic, which is what is currently happening. Besides, in order to avoid exposing the boat to any risks in a berth that is not well protected in New York, we preferred to face what is left of Cyclone Charley at sea. We were confronted with the remnants of this cyclone at around 3 a.m., but fortunately it was easier to face up to the winds than when it was blowing at 140 knots in Florida!! The boat is behaving remarkably well in these hostile conditions and we have made our way back to our technical base in Newport, in order to be ready when the next window of opportunity presents itself. The one we?re currently looking at could occur around the 20th — 21st August ».
Copyright-free pictures (for press purposes) upon request :
Gilles Martin-Raget +33/(0)6 07 55 45 85 - gmr@martin-raget.com
Press Contact Maxi-Catamaran Orange :
Bénédicte Etienne - C Sports Communication : +33/(0)6 87 30 12 83 - benedicte.etienne@csports.fr
Pierre Giboire - Agence Mer & Média - pg.mer.media@wanadoo.fr
Press Contact France Télécom / Orange :
Sébastien Goalès - France Télécom : +33/(0)1 44 44 93 93 - sebastien.goales@francetelecom.com
Marie-Cécile Leprat - C Sprts Communication : +33/(0)1 58 47 84 58 - mc.leprat@csports.fr
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