Groupama 3 in New York. Image copyright Loïc Dorez / Team Groupama.
by Vincent Borde and Caroline Muller
7th July sees the start of the period of stand-by for Groupama 3 in her attempt at the North Atlantic record. Holder of this record since 23rd July 2007 with a time of 4 days, 3 hours and 57 minutes, the maxi trimaran skippered by Franck Cammas has been given until 18th August to find the weather conditions. The aim is obviously an improvement on their own reference time and hopefully one that sees them complete the course in under four days.
In Gateway Marina, at the entrance to the port of New York, Groupama Team's shore crew has finished preparing the maxi trimaran. With the engine removed, the racing sails in position and the hull inspected and cleaned, everything is now ready for Groupama 3 to set off to conquer the ocean:
"Since the boat's arrival last Thursday, we haven't lost any time. With the help of the hoist, we got the engine out and then dismantled the propeller shaft by diving beneath the central pod. Aboard, all the superfluous gear has been removed so that only the bare essentials remain" says Yann Mérour, in charge of logistics. To give him a hand, Marine, Sam, Gaël, François, Loïc and Pierre are on site, as are three of the sailing crew, Loïc Le Mignon, Olivier Mainguy and Ronan Le Goff."
Analysis and patience!
During this time, onshore, Sylvain Mondon from Météo France, Stan Honey, navigator, and Franck Cammas, have been analysing the grib files. Each morning, Sylvain sends the team a summary of his observations, which is subsequently discussed. As skipper, it's up to Franck Cammas to decide on the colour of the code that will organise the life of the team and the crew. For today it's code RED. This means that there is no weather window opening and hence no departure within the next 120 hours, or 5 days.
If it looks like there will be a possible weather window, the team will switch to a code ORANGE with the chance of a departure within the next 72 hours. At that point in the procedure, a possible departure of the crew for New York starts taking shape. In the event that favourable weather conditions are confirmed, the team then switch to code YELLOW, with a departure possible within the next 48 hours. The crew is then ready to board the plane. In the next 24 hours, the crew switch to code GREEN with the departure time selected by Franck Cammas in consultation with Sylvain Mondon and Stan Honey or, if the window deteriorates, a return to code Red. In this instance, the crew get back on the plane to Europe. "Since 2007 and the five records we've broken, the team has become familiar with the complexities of this exercise. We are answerable to the boat and nothing else. You just have to be patient and also very rigorous with the weather analysis as, ultimately, it's the weather that decides. In 2007, we beat Orange's record by over four hours and, in so doing, beat the 24 hour distance record with 794 nautical miles at an average of 33.08 knots. We can naturally do better than that. However, even though we know Groupama 3 better than we did two years ago, it's the weather which will make the difference" analyses Franck Cammas.
One minute will do
To beat the record, one minute will do (World Sailing Speed Record Council rule). To succeed, the skipper of Groupama 3 has brought together a first class crew. Indeed, half of them were aboard during the 2007 record (Stève Ravussin, Fred Le Peutrec, Loïc Le Mignon, Ronan Le Goff, Bruno Jeanjean) but there are also some top rate newcomers too: Lionel Lemonchois, Bernard Stamm, Olivier Mainguy and Stan Honey.
Accustomed to high speed sailing, they have all sailed aboard Groupama 3 this season, notably during the Route of the Subsidiaries and then the delivery between Lisbon and New York. Enthusiastic about how Groupama 3 handled, they know that this crossing will be a real sprint, that the battle against the clock can be as exciting as it is frustrating, and that there is no room for approximation in the manoeuvres.
Their mission will comprise total commitment and that's what they love. And this is especially true given that there is another trimaran waiting patiently in New York. Bigger, heavier, Banque Populaire skippered by Pascal Bidégorry doesn't yet have a single record under her belt. If they choose the same weather window, it'll be very interesting to compare their performances. If this is not the case, it will be the clock which will decide on the verdict. Given the difference in size of the two trimarans, this latter option seems likely. Lighter and nearly 30% shorter, Groupama 3 could set off in medium winds, whilst her direct rival will be seeking to reap the benefits of a steadier breeze.
Wait and see...
The ten crew on Groupama 3:
• Franck Cammas, skipper
• Stève Ravussin, watch leader
• Frédéric Le Peutrec, watch leader
• Loïc Le Mignon, helm
• Lionel Lemonchois, helm
• Bernard Stamm, helm
• Ronan Le Goff, bowman
• Olivier Mainguy, bowman
• Bruno Jeanjean, bowman
• Stan Honey, navigator
Groupama 3's five records:
• The Discovery Route on 1st May 2007 at an average of 21.7 knots
• Miami New York on 4th June 2007 at an average of 27 knots
• The North Atlantic on 23rd July 2007 at an average of 29.26 knots
• The 24 hour on 20th July 2007 at an average of 33.08 knots
• The Mediterranean Crossing on 16th May 2009 at an average of 26.72 knots
Cammas - Groupama
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