Friday 12th 2009
Relaunch of Safran: Next goal the Transat Jacques Vabre
After more than three months of work, the Safran monohull was put back
in the water on Thursday 11th June in La Trinité-sur-Mer. Safran and Marc
Guillemot will be taking part in the SNSM Record next week before the
Transat Jacques Vabre, which takes place in November.
Among the jobs done during the post-Vendée Globe refit, we can note
the repairs to the keel built in 2007 to replace the one that was lost
during the Vendée Globe, the installation of a hook system, which puts less
pressure on the mast track, and which was designed by Guillaume Verdier in
collaboration with the Safran Group, and the fitting of hydro-generators,
developed by Yannick Bestaven and worked on by Safran, which replace the
wind turbines.
"Apart from these modifications and after taking the boat apart to
inspect everything from top to bottom explained Marc Guillemot, we put the
boat back in the water exactly as she was at the start of the Vendée Globe,
with the exception of the specific gear that was required for the round the
world voyage."
So it was indeed a Safran that was ready to go, that was relaunched on
Thursday 11th June in La Trinité-sur-Mer. An important symbolic moment, "as
I really want to get out there sailing again," said Marc Guillemot. This is
something he will be able to do by next week. "After taking part in the Bol
d’Or Mirabaud in Switzerland aboard my Open 7.50, we shall restart training
with a crew in order to get ready for the SNSM Record, which will start on
21st June."
Winning is the goal
This SNSM record will be the only competition for the grey and orange
monohull before the Transat Jacques Vabre. "This is indeed a rather light
season in 2009," explained Marc Guillemot, "but it does leave us time to
work on the settings of the autopilot, for example, which is something I'm
very keen to improve on." This is certainly one improvement that will be
useful for the forthcoming Transat Jacques Vabre.
The choice of co-skipper
The process of choosing Marc's co-skipper for the two-handed
transatlantic race is currently being completed and will be announced in the
next few weeks. Then, there is the ultimate goal in this race, which is "to
do at least as well as in 2007. If I want to do any better, it will mean
winning the race, but that is after all my intention! 2nd in the Jacques
Vabre, then 3rd in the Vendée Globe means there's only one place left on the
podium!" stated Marc Guillemot, clearly determined to be up there at the
front again.
News in brief…
Le Bourget Air Show
On 15th June, Marc Guillemot will be attending the International Air
and Space Show, where Safran is very present. In the evening, he will be
dining in Meudon with children from the Auteuil Children's Foundation of
which Safran is a partner, as part of its charitable work. Thus, 14 children
with social difficulties from the institution have been following Marc and
meeting with him regularly since the Vendée Globe.
SNSM record
The crewed training sessions have begun again to get ready for the
SNSM Record, a race organised to raise funds for the French lifeboat service
(start on 21st June from Saint-Nazaire). Alongside Marc Guillemot and two
members of the Safran Sailing Team, Thierry Brault and Loïc Lingois, the
crew will include Yannick Bestaven, Anatole Modaï, Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant
and Gurvan Bontemps.
A book in October
Marc Guillemot and his wife, Christine, are putting the final touches
to a book of photos of the Vendée Globe and Marc's experience at sea, which
is due to be published by Glénat in October.
www.safransixty.com
SAFRAN
Catherine Malek
Tél : +33 (0)1 40 60 80 28
Fax : +33 (0)1 40 60 80 26
Email : catherine.malek@safran.fr
SAFRAN is an international high-technology group with leadership
positions in its core businesses of aerospace propulsion, aircraft
equipment, and defense security. The SAFRAN Group employs about 54,000
people in over 30 countries and generates revenue of more than €10 billion.
It comprises many companies with prestigious brand names and holds, alone or
in partnership, global or European leadership positions in its markets.
SAFRAN is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris and its share is included in the SBF
120 and Euronext 100 indices.
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