10.11.2005
Transat Jacques Vabre: News Flash
At around 1750 GMT tonight, the 60ft multihull Groupama-2, skippered by French sailors Franck Cammas and Franck Proffit, capsized in a sudden squall 40 miles to the North East of Palma, heading towards the Canary Islands. The prevailing conditions at the time were classic Trade wind 25 – 30 knots from the North East. The trimaran was sailing downwind and it is presumed that therefore the hull pitchpoled on capsize but this is not confirmed. What we do know is that Franck Proffit was at the helm and was thrown violently forward, and has possibly broken his ribs. A helicopter has been sent from the Canaries to the zone to pick up Franck Proffit from the boat in order to give him immediate medical assistance. Franck Cammas is staying on board in order to commence a salvage operation for the boat with his shore team. Groupama-2 had been pushing hard all day after their 5 hour pit-stop in Santo Porto at Madeira between 0400 – 0900 hrs local time this morning to repair their steering and rudder systems, and had been clocking average boat speeds over 25+ knots. In the latest positions polled at 16:46 GMT just one hour before, Groupama-2 had nosed ahead of Géant (Desjoyeaux/Destremau) by 2.6m and was positioned at 29 41 N, 17 59W on a heading of 207 (SW).
This is the 5th abandon in the Multihull ORMA class, which leaves 5 boats in the race, lead by Banque Populaire (Bidegorry/ Lemonchois). Eight boats in total have abandoned the race so far.
Mary Ambler
International Press Relations
Paris Tel: +33 (0)1 414 149 77 / 78
mary.ambler@xalt.co.uk
www.jacques-vabre.com
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