February 2nd, 2010

Groupama 3 : off around the world again! Photos : © Groupama

At 13h 55' 53'' UT on Sunday, Groupama 3 crossed the Jules Verne Trophy start line, off the Créac'h lighthouse, on Ushant, in a light northerly breeze which nevertheless propelled the big trimaran at over 20 knots. To improve on Bruno Peyron’s performance, Franck Cammas and his crew therefore have to be back before 23rd March 2010, at 06h 14' 57'', to take the round the world record – one minute less than the reference time: 21,600 miles in less than 50 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes. From the start, this third attempt looked to be less favourable than the two previous ones (January 2008 and November 2009); everything depended on the rather tight schedule for passing Cape Finisterre and the Canaries. The biggest uncertainty was Cape Finisterre, with just a barely three-hour window. Next, a small depression off the Canaries should generate a strong flow from the north and give way to the steady trade winds. Finally, on Monday morning, the routing announced when leaving Ushant seemed to be unfolding as planned, and by sailing along the Spanish coast, Groupama 3 should feel a stronger, easterly wind, which will accelerate the trimaran to an average of over 25 knots by daybreak. On a manageable sea, and with an off-shore breeze; Groupama will then refine its trajectory to tackle the second key point at the beginning of this record attempt - the Canaries depression, which it must just touch before reaching the stable trade winds...

This new attempt is taking place after three sailing sessions off Lorient, intended to validate the work carried out since Groupama’s South African stopover last December. The Team Groupama technical staff, who have been working flat out since 29th December, (the day it returned from South Africa), assisted by workers from Multiplast and Gépéto, have finished the reinforcement work, carried out mainly on the rear of the floats. “We don’t often work in the snow, or in temperatures below 0°. We had to set up heaters and tarpaulins to respect the specifications inherent in laying up carbon tissues. All this with Groupama 3 in the water and a strict schedule to follow so we would not risk missing a favourable weather window for our Jules Verne start,” Pierre Tissier, the technical manager, pointed out. Obviously, a few days before the start, Franck appeared confident: “Groupama 3 has never been as strong as it is now. This is obviously no guarantee of a good outcome, as it is a prototype, but we have done everything possible so that it will bring us back safely. It’s up to us to find the right rhythm and acceptable weather conditions, although it is obvious that during a round-the-world trip, we will have to face some bad weather. This is also what makes the Jules Verne Trophy both difficult and interesting.” Meanwhile, a few days before setting off, Groupama 3 left Lorient for Brest, “closer to Ushant and easier to reach, especially with north-westerly winds. We saw it last November, and return there with pleasure, especially as we were made very welcome,” Groupama 3’s skipper added.
The crew and the organisation aboard Groupama 3. Watch n° 1: Franck Cammas / Loïc Le Mignon / Jacques Caraës. Watch n° 2: Stève Ravussin / Thomas Coville / Bruno Jeanjean. Watch n° 3: Fred Le Peutrec / Lionel Lemonchois / Ronan Le Goff. Navigator: Stan Honey, on deck for sail changes etc... each watch lasts 3 hours. One watch on deck, one on stand-by, one resting.

Banque Populaire V : still waiting…

After more than two months on stand-by, waiting for a good weather window to set off on an attempt to carry off the Jules Verne Trophy, things seemed to be taking shape last week; the multihull and its crew went onto ‘orange’ stand-by, with the possibility of a departure in the next 48 to 72 hours. But after careful reflection, Pascal Bidégorry, Ronan Lucas and their router, Marcel Van Triest, considered that the Atlantic weather conditions were too unstable, and chose to arrange a better opportunity. For Banque Populaire’s skipper, the picture left him with no regrets: “The window hasn’t developed as we hoped. The situation was becoming complicated between the Canaries, the Cape Verdes and the Equator. The low pressure system to the west of the Spanish archipelago was cutting off the trade winds, leaving an area of light winds. We still had slight hopes yesterday evening, but they disappeared this morning. It’s incredible how everything is very unstable in the North Atlantic, whilst in the South, the system remains unchanging, with the St. Helena anticyclone blocking the way. We really wanted to go, but the aim remains to set off with suitable weather conditions for beating the record. We are remaining on stand-by until 20th February.”
Thus this season, Groupama is on its second attempt, whilst Banque Populaire is still waiting. It must however be taken into consideration that the two boats are not equals: Groupama is smaller than Banque Pop, and seems to be more comfortable in light weather, less so in strong winds. Now, the round-the-world trip takes place for a large part in strong winds. The two crews are as talented as each other. On paper, Banque Populaire V (lire ici le récit de la navigation que j’avais effectuée à bord en 2008), which holds the record for the Atlantic crossing, taking a few hours less than Groupama, is therefore supposed to be the faster. Perhaps Franck Cammas is aiming imperatively for a Jules Verne in less than 50 days, to be snatched before Banque Populaire then wins it back? We can check the truth of this theory in a few months’ time....

America’s Cup: it’s next week ! Photos © Alinghi

It’s settled: the New York Supreme Court has confirmed that the America’s Cup Match will definitely take place on 8th February: Judge Kornreich wants the crews to go and race: no decisions or hearings will take place before the Match. The Court also pointed out that it would not hear the American challenger’s action concerning the Deed of Gift ‘built in the country’ rule. This therefore means that the 33rd America’s Cup can be held according to the New York Court’s latest ruling: at Valencia, on the 8th, 10th and 12th February. “This is excellent news. We are delighted that BMW Oracle’s attempts to disqualify Alinghi and win the America’s Cup in the courts have been rejected. We are impatient to face them on the start line here in Valencia, on 8th February, to race for the Cup. They can no longer escape,” Ernesto Bertarelli, twice winner of the America’s Cup, declared on hearing the news.
In the meantime, the Société Nautique de Genève presented the elements of its opposition to the New York Supreme Court, in reply to the ninth legal action by the Golden Gate Yacht-Club (GGYC), based on an erroneous interpretation of a clause in the event’s founding text, the Deed of Gift, about the country of construction. This collection of documents reaffirmed the SNG’s interpretation, in which only ‘the boat’ has to be built in the Cup-holding club’s country, and not the sails.
In parallel with the opposition documents, the SNG presented a counter-petition, mentioning that if the GGYC’s interpretation of the CIC Deed of Gift clause was validated by the court, their own boat would be illegal. Written statements, given under oath, from a certain number of naval architecture specialists, such as Duncan MacLane and Nigel Irens, supported the fact that the GGYC’s trimaran is in fact a French-designed boat, not American, and that it is made up of several elements which were not built in the United States. The argument also pointed out that “BMW Oracle’s boat is not even a sloop, propelled by sails, with a mainsail and a jib, as the American club’s challenge certificate indicates, but has a wing mast.”
Meanwhile, the America’s Cup trophy has arrived at Alinghi’s base in Valencia. The Silver Jug, (known originally as the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Hundred Guinea Cup, and renamed the America’s Cup after the victory by the American boat of the same name over the British fleet around the Isle of Wight in 1851), is the most coveted trophy in the sailing world. It has been living at the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) in Switzerland since 2003, the date on which Alinghi, the brand new challenger, won it from the double-winner, Team New Zealand, and brought it back to Europe for the first time since its creation. In 2007, Alinghi successfully defended the America's Cup for the SNG, thus keeping the trophy in Switzerland until now.
To follow the racing on television, in France, tune in to Eurosport.

Alinghi : a watch in its colours

Alinghi’s sponsor, the prestigious Swiss watchmaker, Hublot, launched the King Power Alinghi watch at a ceremony organised on the banks of Lake Geneva. This exclusive watch, produced as a limited edition, carries the Swiss defender’s colours. The King Power Alinghi “symbolises the expertise and precision of Swiss technology, just like Alinghi 5, the giant catamaran designed and built in the Lake Geneva region. I am very proud of our partnership with Hublot and my friend, Jean-Claude Biver. This exceptional watch perfectly represents our relationship, as well as the Swiss technology and expertise that we share. Alinghi 5 was built in Switzerland, and is the result of many years of innovation and development on Lake Geneva, just like this watch. We are delighted with Hublot’s support and friendship for the 33rd America’s Cup,” Ernesto Bertarelli declared.<

The Tour de Belle-Ile en Mer : photo exhibition at La Trinité sur Mer

At the third edition of the Tour de Belle-Ile, from 7th to 9th May 2010, an exhibition of images by Jacques Vapillon and Jean-Marie Liot will be presented for several months facing the sea, on La Trinité sur Mer’s ‘mole Caradec’. The event is open to all monohulls or multihulls of 6.5 metres and over, and to all sailors, whether amateurs or ocean racing professionals. Tour de Belle-Ile 2010, 8th May 2010 at 10am. Course: 41 nautical miles. Start: Baie de Quiberon.

Website : http://www.tourdebelleile.com.

MOD 70 Foncia : number one!

The announcement is important, as he is the first to commit himself to this circuit, which up until now has been just an empty shell, with a design and nominated builders, but no boats ordered, due to lack of sponsors ready to invest in it. The order has now been placed and not by just anyone, as we are talking about Michel Desjoyeaux himself, winner of almost all the events he has entered: the Vendée Globe, twice, in Imoca monohulls, the Route du Rhum and The Transat in Orma trimarans. The arrival of ‘The Professor’ may well speed things up: if Desjoyeaux is committing himself, the circuit must be promising. It also remains in the family to a certain extent, as some elements of the boat will be built at Michel’s brother’s yard, CDK Technologies. All that remains is for Multi One to find eleven other sponsors before 2012 so that the circuit can finally be launched.
“In any sport, there is the ultimate. In sailing, the ultimate is sailing on several hulls. Multihulls are spectacular, lively boats. We are immediately attracted by the speed. I hope that many international crews will decide to race, and taste these fabulous machines.” Michel Desjoyeaux has made his choice: the international Multi One Design 70’ circuit!
For Marco Simeoni, President of Multi One Design S.A, “The commitment by Foncia and Michel Desjoyeaux to the Multi One Design 70’ circuit is proof of the renewal of the ocean-going multihull at the highest level. Michel Desjoyeaux is the most titled singlehanded sailor and Foncia is one of the best ocean racing teams in the world.”
Michel Desjoyeaux: “In 2006, after leaving the multis to commit myself to the Vendée Globe, I intended to return to them later...then the Orma began to collapse. Today, the wheel has turned, and things are starting up again with the MOD 70s. These one-design boats will be simpler, stronger, more orientated towards ocean racing, and more easily accessible for less experienced crews.”
According to Yves Gevin, President of the Foncia Group executive board: “For the 10th anniversary of Foncia’s sailing sponsorship, Michel gave us an exceptional year, with a series of superb victories. He demonstrated his ability to show pugnacity and desire, and never give up. So, how can we go further? By being bold and innovative: the MOD 70 circuit will allow us to revive the origin of our involvement with trimarans, whilst taking part in an innovative adventure!” Construction of the first MOD 70’ began last December.

Trophée Mer et Montagne in Saint-Gervais : the cream!

The ‘Trophée Mer Montagne’ is organised by Eric Loizeau, sailor and Everest summiteer. The Trophée Mer Montagne formula remains as popular as ever, bringing together a mountaineer, a sailor and a child from the resort for 4 days of sporting events in a festive atmosphere. In 16 years, more than 220 stars of ocean racing and Olympic sailing, downhill skiing, mountaineering, climbing and freeriding have met, thanks to the Trophée Mer Montagne.
This year, amongst the sailors present, were: Romain Attanasio, Figaro sailor; Charles Caudrelier, winner of the 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre with Marc Guillemot on Safran; Jean Francois Cuzon, 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre with avec Sébastien Josse on BT, Olympic and America’s Cup campaigns, World 470 and Fireball champion in 1999; Frank David, Olympic windsurfing champion in 1992; Tanguy De Lamotte, winner of the Solidaire du Chocolat in 2009 with Adrien Hardy; Fabien Delahaye, 1st newcomer in the 2009 Solitaire du Figaro; Thierry Dubois, winner of the Mini Transat in 1993, second in Around Alone 2002, two Vendée Globes, 1996 (capsize) and 2000 (unclassified); Servane Escoffier: 5th Barcelona World Race in 2008, 2nd , Route du Rhum in 2006, 3rd in the 2005 Jacques Vabre; François Gabart, 1st newcomer, Solitaire du Figaro 2008 and 2nd in the 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre, with Kito de Pavant on Groupe Bel; Philippe Jeantot, Credit Agricole multihull and monohull skipper in the 80s, organiser of the first editions of the Vendée Globe and 4th in the 1989 Vendée Globe; Sébastien Josse, two participations in the Vendée Globe, 2004 and 2008, a crewed round the world race in 2005/2006 in the Volvo Ocean Race aboard ABN AMRO 2 (24hr monohull distance record, 562,96 milles), 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre on BT, with JF Cuzon ; Yves Le Blévec, winner of the singlehanded Transat 6.50 Charente Maritime - Bahia on Groupe Actual, double co-holder of the Jules Verne Trophy on Orange 1 and 2, two participations in the Mini-Transat, skipper of the Multi50 Actual, 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre with Jean le Cam; Serge Madec, skipper of Jet Services and for a long time Atlantic record holder; Gildas Morvan, triple French singlehanded ocean racing champion in 2000, 2008 and 2009), winner of the BPE Transat in 2009, 2nd in the 2008 Solitaire du Figaro 2008, 4th in the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre; Jean Paul Mouren, winner of the AG2R transat in 2008, 19 participations in the Solitaire du Figaro; Eric Peron, Figaro sailor, 3rd in the 2008 AG2R; Christopher Pratt, skipper of the 60’ monohull Les Filières du Talent DCNS, 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre 2009 with Marc Thiercelin, 1st newcomer in the 2006 Solitaire du Figaro on Espoir Crédit Agricole.

Karine Baillet et Philippe Jeantot

Sege Madec

Asian Extrem series : the Muscat regattas begin this Monday

No less than eight nationalities make up the crews which will be facing each other this week on the water at Muscat, in Oman. Amongst them is one Frenchman, (the only one present in the Asian part of the Extrem Series), Thierry Barot, skipper of China Team. Six weeks after Singapore, Oman is hosting a sailing competition for the first time. According to the skipper of Masirah, Pete Cumming, the winner of the European circuit: “it’s wonderful to see everyone here in Oman. The wind here is steadier than it was in Singapore or Hong Kong, so we will probably be racing more traditionally. If the wind holds up, which it generally does, we should have 10 – 15 knots.”
The first three days’ racing will be dedicated to the VIPs and the press, an opportunity for the sponsors, business associates and journalists to climb aboard the catamarans and join the crew as a fifth member.

After Hong Kong and Singapore, the present classification:
1. Oman Sail Masirah
2. China Team
3. BT
4. The Wave, Muscat
5. Red Bull Extreme Sailing
6. Rumbo Almeria

Europeen Extrem: the good press repercussions from the 2009 season

OC Events has just published the official figures for the media coverage of the 2009 Extreme Sailing Series. According to the organiser, “a 40% increase, compared to last season, has been noted,” using the survey carried out by Havas Sports & Insights. In Europe, there was a total of around “8 hours and 35 minutes of televised news, 894 written press articles, 770 articles on the internet, 149 programmes broadcast on TV or radio, and finally 228 journalists accredited for the 7 European events.” To which can be added the English station, Channel 4, which broadcast a programme specially designed for the event for the first time, in 2009, and plans to broadcast a series of programmes in 2010. Giving a total of “more than 535 hours of television exposure, between the news and specific recorded programmes.”
Havas has estimated the value of the media coverage of the Extreme Sailing Series in 2009 at 5.7 million euros. According to Alastair MacDonald, director of Havas Sports & Insights, an independent media evaluation agency, “given the nature and the value of the benefits for the sponsor, iShares, our opinion is clear: compared to the sponsor’s initial investment, this event represents a high quality marketing investment, offering an extremely favourable return.”
OC Group however claims to use these figures cautiously: “during the Extreme Sailing Series, the return on the investment for the event and crew sponsors happens in many ways, and the methodology for calculating this media value differs from one agency to another. In our sport, the figures announced often do not correspond to the reality. We therefore prefer to use this independent evaluation to measure the quantity and quality of the media coverage we offer our sponsors and those of the participating crews,” explained Lou Newlands, Communications Director of OC Group.
For the coming season...the iShares Cup returns to its original name, Extreme Sailing Series (Europe)... The 2010 series will begin in May, with 5, perhaps 6, events in Europe. Between 8 and 10 international crews should be confirming their participation before 31st March 2010, the closing date. The Extreme Sailing Series Europe is organised by OC Events, organisers of the Artemis Transat, the Barcelona World Race 2007, the Asian Record circuit as well as the first Extreme Sailing Series Asia.

Event 1: 27th – 30th May (Place to be confirmed)
Exhibition event – 19th June: J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race
Event 2: 14th - 18th July or 31st July – 5th August (United Kingdom)
Event 3: 26th - 29th August (Germany)
Event 4: 9th - 12th September, (Place to be confirmed)
Event 5: 23rd - 26th September (Place to be confirmed)
Event 6: 9th – 12th October (Almeria, Spain)