Transat Jaques Vabre 2007 von Le Havre nach Bahia - Start 3. November 2007 www.jacques-vabre.com - Übersicht Sunday 4th November 2007 - Press Release No.39 Transat Jacques Vabre From Le Havre to Salvador de Bahia, start on 4th November SALVADOR DE BAHIA HERE WE COME! Twenty four hours after the monohulls, it was the turn of the multihulls to take the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre 2007 from Le Havre, bound for Salvador de Bahia in Brazil. Franck Cammas and Stève Ravussin knew just how to reap the benefits of the light conditions with little wind to take pole position shortly after the start. Foto: J.Vapillon Sunday 4th November - 1302 hours off Le Havre Sun, flat seas and a timid NW'ly wind not exceeding 4 knots proved to be rather an atypical setting for a 4th November! Well placed and well within the timing, Groupama 2 crossed the start line in 2nd position, just a few boat lengths behind Brossard, author of the best start. The hierarchy was soon upset however with Franck Cammas and Stève Ravussin taking control of the fleet from the Général Metzinger mark. Renowned for being particularly at ease in the light airs, the VPLP design has really been showing what it is made of once again. Concentrated on trimming and applied to the trajectory of their machine, the Franco-Swiss duo lead the way, tailed closely by its two index competitors, Banque Populaire and Gitana 11. Contacted by VHF an hour and a half after the start, Stève Ravussin took the time to answer a few questions: A few words about your start? "It wasn't very windy, but I think we were well placed and got the timing right at the start. That was the important thing. Now, we have to consolidate our position, extend our lead, and there you go! You're being shadowed by Pascal (Bidegorry) and your brother on Banque Populaire, so the head to head has begun? "This duel is very interesting and motivating. They're following us, which is good, and we hope they're going to continue to do so." In the next few hours, how are you going to organise yourselves aboard and what will be the important points? "Since the start I have been concentrated on the manoeuvres and the trimming whilst Franck has been helming. Once we're offshore we'll begin our 2 hour watches. Next on the agenda, we will have our first tricky passage to negotiate at the Raz de Sein, which is always a complicated area because of its currents. The night ahead will see light winds so we're really going to have to be on top of our game!" At the 1600 hour position report, whilst the first multihulls were already passing off Barfleur, Groupama 2 was holding onto pole position. Given the weather conditions currently reigning over the Channel, it's set to be an intense first night at sea for our sailors, as Stève explained to us this morning shortly before casting off: "It's likely to be a short night! The forecast is for light, shifty winds, which will force us to be vigilant and concentrated. You have to constantly trim and ensure you don't ease off the pace!" Ranking on 4th November at 1600 hours 1. Groupama 2 (Franck Cammas - Stève Ravussin) 4296 miles from the finish 2. Banque Populaire (Pascal Bidégorry - Yvan Ravussin) 1.1 miles from the leader 3. Gitana 11 (Lionel Lemonchois - Yann Guichard) 3 miles back 4. Sopra Group (Antoine Koch - Grégory Gendron) 3.2 miles back 5. Brossard (Yvan Bourgnon - Jacques Vincent) 5.5 miles back Participants in the 60' Multihull category: Banque Populaire (Pascal Bidégorry - Yvan Ravussin), Brossard (Yvan Bourgnon - Jacques Vincent), Gitana 11 (Lionel Lemonchois - Yann Guichard), Sopra Group (Antoine Koch - Grégory Gendron), Groupama 2 (Franck Cammas - Stève Ravussin) Find all the latest news about Franck Cammas and the Groupama team at: www.cammas-groupama.com Tiphaine Combot Seta +33 6 30 73 30 41 Welcome On Board BP 30 241 - 56102 Lorient Cedex bienvenue@welcomeonboard.fr Caroline Muller + 33 6 80 40 00 24 Vincent Borde + 33 6 07 68 18 95 Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE