Jules Verne Trophy 2005
Press Release N°9
Paris, Wednesday 26th, January 2005
ZIGZAG TOWARDS THE CANARIES…
On her third day of racing, the Orange II maxi-catamaran is approaching
the Canary Islands on a zigzag route with the wind aft and expecting
some difficult days ahead. The weather forecasts have changed from what
was announced two days ago. The high has split in two and shut off the
trade winds forcing the boat towards the African coast. Bruno Peyron
must therefore adjust his route in the coming hours to get around the
archipelago of the Canaries.
For a while, Bruno Peyron thought about the possibility of turning
back. «The window in the weather closed up 12 hours after the start.
There were several possibilities, including returning home to set out
again 24 or 36 hours later. We only hesitated for a few seconds,
because the voyage is long. Last winter, Steve Fossett also lost some
time during the first phase of his voyage. With our present lead,
there’s nothing really to worry about. Besides, the boat is extremely
fast in light and moderate winds. We have covered more than 500 miles
in very light winds, so we mustn’t grumble. At the moment, the wind has
dropped off quite a lot. We’re on our third gybe and the wind is
swinging around from 30 to 40 degrees.»
Which way around the Canaries?
Based on the weather charts yesterday, the boat planned to pass between
the coast of Lanzarote and Africa, but that doesn’t look so easy today.
The boat has gybed to the west once again, thus shutting off some route
options and running the risk of being becalmed on the leeward side of
the islands. While getting ready to round the Canaries, the skipper of
Orange II is working out the way to the Equator, and does not think
that he is within the record for this first leg. Bruno Peyron: «The
record for this first leg (Ushant – The Equator) is not going to be
smashed because of the zigzags we’re going to have to do in the next
few hours. Moreover, the forecasts don’t look good up to the Equator,
as the high has wiped out the trade winds. They will be returning in 3
or 4 days, but we’ll be on the other side of Cape Verde by then. If we
make the Equator in seven days, or seven and a half, we’re still in
with a chance!»
First video broadcast live on Internet and on 3G mobile handsets.
History was made today at Orange race headquarters. For the first time
in a sailing event, a video conference link was broadcast live on
Internet and on Orange mobile handsets, thanks to mobile broadband
technology.
Quotes:
Bruno Peyron : «In 1993, we embarked on a commando style operation with
a boat prepared in less than six weeks. In 2002, the boat was prepared
over a month and a half. This time, we have 20,000 miles under our
belts, and we have complete faith in the boat. I was surprised during
the first night to find out that we could push the boat all the way,
making 30-35 knots for around twenty hours.»
Weather: «We collect the weather data every six hours with two
different versions for 3-4 days ahead, and one forecast for a fortnight
ahead. We study that with Roger Nilson, then we try to find the best
way through. The high has split in two, and the part that is on our
right is forcing us to the east. The competitors in the Vendée Globe
have the same weather. Vincent Riou will be going around on the western
side. The high moved in front of them and they will be able to sail
straight on.»
Weight: «We fought such a battle against weight on board that I feel
that we’re not much heavier than we were for the Atlantic record. The
result is impressive, as the average speed is very high.»
Iceberg watch: «Yesterday we had our first "iceberg" watch, because of
two white containers, which were floating around. We therefore
organised a watch, just as if we were watching for a growler. The day
we hit a container at 35 knots will certainly make a jolly fine photo
to send back!»
Jacques Caraës :
«We’re lucky to be in the big brother to the boats built for The Race.
Orange II is more comfortable thanks to its extra height above the
waterline. The film equipment has made some progress too. The portable
video cameras are lighter. As for the satellite antennae, there has
clearly been a lot of progress, which allows us to carry out this
broadcast even when the weather is not good. For me, it all started
when Grant Dalton asked me to do it, as no one else on Club Med during
The Race wanted to. Today I love the idea of being able to share these
great experiences.»
Boat’s positions:
The position of the boat is updated every quarter of an hour on the
website: www.maxicatamaran-orange.com
Morning press release N°2 / 4 a.m. GMT
Paris, Wednesday 26th January 2005
The Canary Islands in 10 hours!
Currently off the coast of Morocco, Orange II literally swallowed up the Bay of Biscay and Portugal by staying on the edge of a huge area of high-pressure centred to the west of Ireland. An exceptional day and a half of sailing has enabled them to achieve an average speed of 24.8 knots since the start. At the moment, Orange II is gliding between a small secondary area of high pressure and the African coast, on a route, which is a long way east of the usual one taken in the trade winds (north-easterlies). However, the maxi-catamaran skippered by Bruno Peyron is coping remarkably well in a north north easterly wind, which is falling off at times to less than 15 knots, and has clocked up 1040 miles in less than 24 hours of sailing.
Bruno Peyron : « Things are going well considering the weather conditions, which are different from what we expected. There aren’t any trade winds blowing and the high is trying to eat us alive. We’re sailing in a wind around 14 knots, which is forecast to ease off still further off the coast of the Canaries. For the first day, however, we probably achieved the fastest day in the history of the Jules Verne Trophy, and we are already ahead of Steve Fossett. We’re pleasantly surprised by the potential of the boat, which is going faster than we expected!»
Facts and figures (4a.m. positions) :
Date/start time: Monday 24th January 2005 at 10h 03 mins and 07 seconds (11h 03 mins 07s CET).
Distance covered since the start: 1040 miles
Average speed since the start: 24.8 knots
Distance left to cover: 23,576.9 miles
Maxi-Catamaran Orange press contacts:
Pierre Giboire - Agence Mer & Média / 06 08 31 00 48 – pierre.giboire@wanadoo.fr
Bénédicte Etienne - C Sports Communication / 06 87 30 12 83 - benedicte.etienne@csports.fr
Copyright free photos (for press use) : www.maxicatamaran-orange.com (press section)
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