Jules Verne Trophy 2005
Maxi-catamaran Orange II - Bruno Peyron
Paris, Monday 7th February 2005
Press release N°19 - 19h00.
BRUNO PEYRON AND THE CREW OF ORANGE II SET TWO NEW RECORDS OFF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE
On his attempt at the round the world crewed sailing record, Bruno
Peyron and Team Orange set two new records this evening off the Cape of
Good Hope. The maxi-catamaran Orange II, which set out from Ushant on
24th January at 10.03 GMT crossed the longitude of the Cape of Good
Hope (20°East) this evening (Monday 7th February) at 18h22 GMT.
- Orange II will thus have taken 14 days, 8h and 19 mins to go from the
tip of Brittany to the southernmost tip of South Africa (new absolute
record). She has smashed the record held by Olivier de Kersauson (16
days 14h, 35mins – 2003) by 2 days, 06 h 16 mins.
- Orange II will have taken 7 days 5h and 22mins to go from the Equator
to the Cape of Good Hope (new absolute record). She has beaten the
record held by Steve Fossett (9j 16h, 27mn, en 2004) by 2 days, 11 h 05
mins.
As she passed the Cape of Good Hope this evening, Orange II had a lead
of more than four days over Geronimo’s time (Olivier de Kersauson) and
Cheyenne’s time (Steve Fossett) set in 2004. Orange II’s two virtual
opponents crossed the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope last winter
after 18 days of sailing.
A LOOK BACK AT TWO WEEKS OF EXCEPTIONAL RACING
Sunday 23rd January : Orange II left Lorient to head for the starting
line
Bruno Peyron made his intentions clear: «Two records lie ahead. There
are the two major ones, which are the Jules Verne Trophy held by
Olivier de Kersauson and the absolute round the world record held by
Steve Fossett. There are also all the partial records, some of which
are important between the three capes and in the south. So in all we
have ten goals, two of which are more important than the others.»
Monday 24 January : Start at 10 h 03’ 07’’ GMT
Orange II crossed the starting line between the Lizard and Ushant at
10h 03 minutes 07 seconds GMT on Monday morning. The start was
certified by Claude Breton of the WSSR.
Tuesday 25th January at 10H03' GMT
Getting off to a lightning start, Orange II covered 646 miles during
her first day of racing.
Thursday 27th January : Third day of racing and only 371 miles
A sluggish third day for Orange II and her crew, who were slowed down
by having to cross through the Canary Islands. The distance clocked up
fell off to 371 miles in 24 hours, nevertheless averaging more than 15
knots. It was a lot less than the 646 miles covered on the first day.
Saturday 29th January : Orange II crosses through the Cape Verde
Islands after five days of racing
After five days at sea, Orange II reached the Cape Verde Islands. Less
than a year ago, on 3rd March 2004, the catamaran had to turn home at
this latitude during her first attempt at the round the world record.
She left the other two competitors, Cheyenne and Geronimo, finish the
race without her.
Monday 31st January : The Equator in 7 days and 3 hours
It was 13.00 GMT, when Bruno Peyron announced that the two hulls of his
boat had crossed the Equator. «We crossed the Equator fifteen minutes
ago. We still have very light winds and are only making very slow
headway at 10-12 knots, but we checked on the satellite pictures to see
that we were in the right place.»
Thursday 3rd February : Coming around in the Tropic off Capricorn
Orange II has just finished her tenth day of sailing at the level of
the Tropic of Capricorn. Off Rio de Janeiro, the maxi catamaran managed
to clock up 529 miles more in her descent, bringing the total distance
covered to almost 4900 miles since the start. Her average speed over 24
hours was 22 knots and more than 20 knots since the start off Ushant.
Friday 4th February : Orange II hops on to the front they had been
aiming at since the start
Orange II managed to catch the cloudy system that the team had been
aiming at for more than ten days. «It is this little front that we have
been aiming at since the day before the start! We chose to set out at a
time that wasn’t necessarily the best and were willing to lose ground
in the North Atlantic to pick up this system in the South Atlantic.
This is indeed the system we have picked up today and the window in the
weather closed just after we set sail. It should take us along to the
westerly flow. Afterwards, with the weather systems we’re going to pick
up in the south, we could be taken along as far as the Crozet Islands!»
Saturday 5th February : Peaks at 38 knots towards Tristan da Cunha
Averaging 30 knots over more than 600 miles over 24 hours, Orange II
accelerated away as they approached Tristan da Cunha. «This morning we
reached a peak of 38 knots! At the moment, we’re doing 32, 32.5…
Sébastien Audigane is at the helm. We sailed faster during the
Mediterranean Record, reaching 42.7 knots at one moment.»
Monday 7th February : the record to the Cape of Good Hope
«The record to the Cape of Good Hope would be nice, as it’s the first
leg and would be impressive. However, it’s not the most important
thing, as it’s lasting the course that is vital.» Bruno Peyron reminded
us. «On board, we’re the first to be surprised. We’re talking about the
longitude of the Cape of Good Hope, but it should not be forgotten that
we passed the latitude of Cape Town after 11 days, which is quite
extraordinary too.»
Press contacts for the Orange Maxi-Catamaran :
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
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