Mike Golding Yacht Racing Coming Into Le Havre
2009 Imoca World Championship
1. Marc Guillemot 362pts
2. Michel Desjoyeaux 357pts
3. Armel Le Cleach 338pts
4. Samantha Davies 321pts
5. Vincent Riou 304pts
6. Dee Caffari 295pts
7. Arnaud Boissières 292pts
8. Brian Thompson 281pts
9. Steve White 250pts
10. Richard Wilson 220pts
11. Raphaël Dinelli 210pts
12. Norbert Sedlacek 200pts
13. Kito De Pavant 59pts
14. Loïck Peyron 52pts
15. Yann Eliès 44pts
16. Roland Jourdain 39pts
17. Mike Golding 36pts
18. Jérémie Beyou 33pts
19. Yannick Bestaven 32pts
20. Alex Pella 30pts
21. Pachi Rivero 18pts
22. Guillermo Altadill 16pts
23. Jean-Pierre Dick 8pts
24. Marc Thiercelin 4pts
25. Unai Basurko 0pts
26. Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty 0pts
27. Derek Hatfield 0pts
28. Sébastien Josse 0pts
29. Jean Le Cam 0pts
30. Jonathan Malbon 0pts
31. Bernard Stamm 0pts
32. Alex Thomson 0pts
33. Dominique Wavre 0pts
Groupama 3 At Gateway Marina (Photo by George Bekris)
In Lorient, Groupama team’s base, the excitement is tangible. Whilst Franck Cammas is in direct contact with Sylvain Mondon at Météo France and Stan Honey, Groupama 3′s navigator, in order to narrow down the departure time from New York, the logistics team is completing the crew’s transfer to the United States. “Contrary to what you might think, the crew hasn’t been in New York since 7th July. Our standby organisation is such that they must be able to make the transfer to the start zone within 24 hours. Since 7th July, we’ve been keeping them informed each morning at 1000 hours of the latest weather forecasts provided by Sylvain Mondon. The minute we switched to code yellow (possible departure within 48 to 72 hours), they prepared their gear for sea. They are currently in the plane bound for New York” says Stéphane Guilbaud, team manager.
On their arrival at Gateway marina, the crew will climb aboard a trimaran which has been perfectly prepared by the shore crew as well as two of the crew, Loïc Le Mignon and Olivier Mainguy: “It’s great to get together again. We’re both excited and concentrated. The challenge awaiting us is a sizeable as well as a complicated one. It’s sizeable because driving a trimaran like Groupama 3 to perfection is a real challenge and it’s complicated because we’re going to have to adapt to wind and sea conditions, which will probably be a bit different to those which are forecast. According to our latest information, the window which is opening up right now is a very good one, with downwind conditions, though we may be forced to drop a bit further South than the shortest route” analyses Franck Cammas.
In his offices in Toulouse, Sylvain Mondon analyses the various weather charts that he seeks out from both the European and American servers. Following that he integrates Groupama 3′s performances into this information, taking into account his recent experience of sailing aboard. Ultimately, according to the routes selected, he obtains a time for the crossing: “After being the first sailing boat to cross the Atlantic in under 100 hours at an average speed of 29.2 knots just two years ago, Groupama 3 set a very high standard. To go even faster, we’re really going to need a great trajectory and stay as close as possible to the 2,925 miles which make up the direct route (5,265 km)”.
It’s worth remembering that in 2007, during her victorious record attempt, Groupama 3 also beat the 24 hour distance record by covering 794 miles at the incredible average speed of 33.08 knots: “We achieved this record time very shortly after leaving New York. The conditions were perfect with a well established wind on the beam and flat seas. If we hadn’t broken one of the two foils, we would have exceeded the legendary benchmark of 800 miles. This figure is incredible to read, but even more incredible to experience in the flesh at sea aboard Groupama 3. This is another reason why we’re here today. The speed, the adrenalin and the challenge that this crossing represents is magical” adds Franck Cammas
To accompany him in this quest for absolute speed, the skipper of Groupama 3 has equipped himself with an entourage of `old faithfuls’ as well as new crew. Among the familiar faces onboard are Stève Ravussin and Frédéric Le Peutrec, watch leaders, Ronan Le Goff and Bruno Jeanjean at the bow and Loïc Le Mignon, second helm. As for the newcomers, their track records speak for themselves: Lionel Lemonchois, reigning champion of the Route du Rhum, Bernard Stamm, reigning champion of the Velux Five Oceans, Stan Honey, winning navigator in the Volvo Ocean Race on ABN AMRO and finally Olivier Mainguy, a member of the Groupama team who will take up position at the bow alongside Ronan and Bruno. In the main, the crew is pretty much the same as the one that broke the first record of the 2009 season by crossing the Mediterranean in 17 hours and 8 minutes on 16th May.
In Gateway Marina in New York, Groupama 3 is pulling at her warps: “We are experienced at quickly finding the right trim and getting the very best out of Groupama 3; it’s the men that make the difference. As such my entourage comprises an exceptional crew, which I’m very proud of. All ten of us are ready to go” concludes Franck Cammas
Groupama 3 On The Way To New York (Photo by Loic Dorez / Team Groupama)
Groupama 3 is on Stand-by 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.
Groupama 3 At Gateway Marina Awaiting Weather Window (Photo by George Bekris)
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.
Groupama 3 Setting Out For New York (Photo by Loic Dorez / Team Groupama)
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.
Groupama 3 Crew Doing Maintenance At Gateway Marina (Photo by George Bekris)
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.
Groupama 3 Crew For 2009 Transatlantic Crossing Record Attempt (Photo by Yvan Zedda / Team Groupama)
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…
Groupama 3 Waiting For Weather Window (Photo by George Bekris)
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 Crossing The Atlantic Headed For New York (Photo by Loic Dorez / Team Groupama)
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
Groupama 3 Leaving Lisbon, Spain for New York City (Photo By Yvan Zedda)
Under the aegis of Frédéric Le Peutrec, we can find some faithful right-hand men like Loïc Le Mignon, Loïc Dorez, Ronan Le Goff, Yann Rioux, Olivier Mainguy and Gaël de Kerangat. However, there will also be some talented skippers such as Lionel Lemonchois and Bernard Stamm. The final crew member, Louis Villers, has quickly fused with the crew. Indeed the young 21 year old is passionate about the sea and, curious by nature, and is the founder of an online student journal, “L’interview.fr”. He will be our eyes onboard throughout the entire crossing.
As regards the weather, it’s Yann Rioux who will be pouring over this. The recent winner of the Mini Fastnet for the second year running, analyses the routing: “Over the North Atlantic we have one zone of high pressure and several depression centres, so we’re going to have to play amongst all these systems. We’re going to head off close-hauled to the south of the first low, which is in the Bay of Biscay, before we have to negotiate the second low via its Northern edge near the Azores. Next up we’ll have to play with a low pressure system. At the end of the course, it’s possible that we’ll have a rather meatier front with between 25 and 30 knots of the wind on the beam. These forecasts are a long way off though!”
The transatlantic crossing for Groupama 3 and her crew promises to be rich as regards the points of sail and the conditions encountered. Long live the joys of the open ocean!
