Wet and wild on Groupama 4. Image copyright Yann Riou/Groupama/Volvo Ocean Race
by Volvo Ocean Race media
Groupama Sailing Team came back to Lorient today at 4am after a week at sea on their 2000 nautical mile qualifier for the Volvo Ocean Race.
"This has very often lead to boat speeds of over 20 knots. Sheer delight!..."
The team's attempt to complete their qualification for the race was anything but calm. Groupama 4's crew had a hectic first few days on the way to their first waypoint off Lisbon and Cascais. Multiple sail changes kept the whole team on their toes and undoubtedly provided good practice for them on their new Volvo Open 70.
Media Crew Member Yann Riou has been reporting on the activities onboard and has realised that making the MCM comfortable obviously has not been a priority for the team in the past months. "My first issue is to find a place where I can have my things around me," he explains.
The crew had a wet and wild leg towards the second waypoint in the North Atlantic, which they reached in the early hours of this morning but since then, Groupama 4 has been gloriously surfing her way back to Lorient.
"Total interior reorganisation was required at that point (second waypoint) to shift the weight back, as was a change of headsails," said Yann. "Since then we've been surfing in downwind conditions, varying between 20 to 30 knots. This has very often lead to boat speeds of over 20 knots. Sheer delight!"
Cammas - Groupama
Volvo Ocean Race
