by Florence Dhie
Four days from now, a hundred Australians, New Zealanders, Reunionese, Polynesians, and of course Caledonians, will be at the start of the second Groupama Race. Those sailors, on board 14 racing sailboats are in for 4 to 6 days non-stop sailing around the Mainland. Departure from Nouméa, arrival back in Nouméa. This ocean regatta is comparable with a Sydney-Hobart. The meteorological strategy, the physical and mental condition of the competitors will play an essential role in the final victory. As well as the size of the boats, all between 9,5 and 15 meters. The lighter boats will enjoy a long surf under spinnaker with a following wind along the East Coast. The larger boats will be boosted by their length on the West Coast, with the wind on their noses. On condition they get the Alizés (Trade winds)!
14 boats, 5 ladies, and 4 junior sailors
To sail around New Caledonia as fast as possible is indeed a mental, physical and collective epic. Endurance, cohesion, solidarity, perseverance, will be the qualities necessary to the success of the project. 5 ladies are engaged in the adventure, as well as at least 4 adolescents: the young from Lycée Lapérouse, who won the Trophy of the Young Sailors. As in every great international race, each boat will be equipped with a satellite tracker. That system, useful for their safety, will also allow the public to follow the position of the boats in real time www.groupamarace.nc
As a godfather of the event, Franck Cammas, the quickest sailor around the World and recent winner of the Jules Verne Trophy says:"in New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia, there are extremely good sailors. There are performing boats and a lot of regattas, everything it takes to make winning crews. That all these people should be together in the Groupama Race means that the level will be extremely high, and so will be the competition."
Not to be missed: start time at 9.30 at the Rocher à la Voile.
Rendez-vous at the CNC: - The Race Headquarters will be at the CNC from Sept.15th to Sept.25th.
Highlight on the TEAM AUSTRALIA LES NOUVELLES crew:
It was an Australian crew who won the first Groupama Race, in 3 days, 23 hours, 20 minutes and 53 seconds. They are back to break their record!
Shai Jacobson is a typical outcome of Australian sailing. He has been a member of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club from the age of 8.
With the National Cadet selection he took part in the World Championship in Hungary.
When he was 19 he left the world of the dinghies to join the crew of a 48 ft boat (14,6m), and since then he has been sailing on all types of sail boats.
This year he won two prestigious titles: the Asian Cup in Thailand, on board a TP52 (a true racing sail boat), and the Skandia Geelong Week on a 30 ft. In 2009 he and his crew won the Airlie Beach Week in the "sports sail boat" category ( a Thompson 8). He took part 3 times in the Sydney-Hobart, 4 times in the Sydney-Southport and won the Melbourne-Launceston in 2006.
Beside him, Michael John Naughton has recorded over 3000 miles of sailing (over 5500 km).
A crew member in many a high seas race, he won the last Rudder Cup between Australia and Tasmania on a 40ft. The skipper then was called Brendan John Garner. And, as you may have guessed it, Brendan too will be on board Team Australia Les Nouvelles!
Twice a champion of Australia on a Fireball, once on a SB3 Laser, Brendan who is hardly 35 has been sailing for 25 years. Among other deeds, he sailed 2 Sydney-Hobart and 12 ocean races. With their boat, an ulta competitive Adam 15, that crew made up of 5 Australians and 1 Caledonian have not come only to admire the beauty of our lagoon.
Boat type: Adam 15
Construction : 1987
Length : 15,20 m
Width : 3,66 m
Displacement : 11 tons
Draft : 1,40m/3,00m (drop keel)
Main sail area : 50m2
Crew of 7, among whom : Tugdual Le Gal La Salle, Shai Jacobson, Malcolm Eaton, Brendan J. Garner, Michael Naughton
Groupama Race
