Groupama: A fantastic time! (2nd August 2009)

by Vincent Borde

Groupama 3 was around just a hundred miles from Lizard Point at noon this Sunday, approaching the end of this Transatlantic record attempt. However, Franck Cammas and his crew aren't likely to retain the trophy that they've held since July 2007 (4d 03h 57' 54'') as Pascal Bidégorry is closing fast on the tip of Cornwall with a lead of at least two hours, added to which is their later departure from New York...

The Transatlantic record will be beaten by a very large margin by Banque Populaire V this Sunday afternoon: less than four days to cover the 2,880 miles between New York and Lizard Point! This reference time set by Groupama 3 two years ago, is set to be reduced by over ten hours, that's a gain in speed of over 10%... However, Franck Cammas and his nine crew have still put up a creditable performance by setting the opening pace of this legendary course. Heading off two and a half hours prior to its rival, Groupama 3 quickly set a very high standard by racking up the first 800 mile day and then maintaining an average speed in excess of 35 knots for nearly 36 hours. On this rectilinear trajectory where power remains the essential factor at play, the most recent of the multihulls designed for setting records has the advantage of length and a fast work-up.

Groupama 3 has nevertheless demonstrated that the optimisation work performed on her over the winter has borne fruit, as the boat is set to devour the Atlantic in less than four days and has maintained the pressure throughout the record attempt, culminating with a separation of just a few tens of miles. The trimaran skippered by Franck Cammas has also stretched its own record distance over 24 hours to 857.5 miles, which amounts to an average speed of 35.7 knots! As such the crew has been able to get the very best out of Groupama 3, which augurs well for the Jules Verne Trophy where the sailing conditions will be a lot more varied and the ride will be considerably longer...

"Since Saturday evening, we've been accompanied by a slightly gentler breeze, but there's always been a few clouds and gusts around and we've been sailing fairly close to the wind. We're making headway under heavy gennaker and mainsail and we're still progressing fairly quickly...

"Banque Populaire V has an impressive speed potential! We suspected she could go faster than Groupama 3 in these weather conditions, especially in a 24 hour record bid: 5% better is a big deal. As regards trajectory and rhythm, we've done what we set out to do, but they've set the standard very high and this Translatlantic record attempt will be very hard to beat because the weather has been practically perfect... They've driven their boat very, very fast. It'll be a superb time at Lizard Point! Bravo to Pascal and his crew!

"Nevertheless I'm surprised by their speed: they were conditions which suited them, but they pushed the boat close to her maximum for a very long time. It's their first record and it's superb for them.

"We also pushed Groupama 3 harder than we've done before and we can still get more out of her. We should finish at around 1430 UT, even though the wind is set to ease over the final stretch. It's a fantastic time that Groupama 3 will set nonetheless! Around ten hours less equates to 10% more speed... We'll beat our own record.
It's good training for the whole crew as it will be virtually the same for the Jules Verne Trophy. We know the boat's limits better now as we've gained nearly 60 miles on the 24 hour record... The round the world is a bit different in terms of format as these fairly open points of sail at full power aren't in the majority. The game of tactics and strategy will be more open than on a Transatlantic attempt", said Cammas.

Franck Cammas and his nine crew congratulate Pascal Bidégorry and his crew on their 24 distance record (907 miles).

Groupama 3 is set to cross the finish line off Lizard Point at around 1430 UT this Sunday, before making towards her home base. Franck Cammas and his nine crew are expected into Lorient at around 0700 UT on Monday after having improved on the 2007 record (4d 03h 57' 54'') by around ten hours!

Cammas - Groupama