Banque Populaire V On Standby (Photo by BPCE/Benoit Stichelbaut)
Role : Bowman
Other : in charge of security
Role : Bowman
Other : in charge of the hydraulic mechanic and fittings
Role : Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : Vidéo
Role : Watch leader, Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : sails
Role : Watch leader Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : in charge of the video and composite
Role : Watch leader, Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : in charge of the medical
Role : Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : in charge of the electronics
Role : Bowman
Other : in charge of the composite and fitting
Role : Bowman
Other : In charge of the medical and rigging
Role : Helmsman / Trimmer
Other : food on board
Role : Helmsman / Trimmer
Role : Weather Router, Navigator
Groupama 3 Team On Deck Headed South (Photo by Team Groupama)
Off Salvador de Bahia this Friday afternoon, Groupama 3 is continuing her southward descent in search of a stormy depression system forming over Brazil. At an average speed of over twenty-five knots, Franck Cammas and his crew have a 680 mile lead over the reference time.
The videoconference organised at Groupama’s Race HQ in Paris wasn’t able to go ahead for technical reasons related to the faulty Inmarsat transmission, but Franck Cammas was able to participate in the radio session hosted by Stanislas Grenapin in the company of celebrated French weatherman Laurent Cabrol. Anticyclones, Doldrums, tradewinds, depressions… the skipper of Groupama 3 was able to explain the situation through which they have been navigating since crossing the equator in 5 days fifteen hours.
“It’s fine weather with a few cumulus reminiscent of the good conditions, with slightly shifty tradewinds on the beam. We’re having to manoeuvre fairly frequently, switching between the staysail and solent as the wind varies from 14 to 22 knots… We’re being forced to sail right around the outside of the Saint Helena High: we’re going to sail along the Brazilian coast for two days to gain southing in order to hook onto a depression, which is currently forming over the South American continent. This will then quickly push us eastwards… However, it’s important we don’t miss the ride as there aren’t any more after that! The encounter is scheduled for lunchtime on Saturday: after that we’re going to power away… For the time being, the weather sequence is pretty favourable with an anticyclone ahead of us, which the depression will push along. We’re going to have flat seas with downwind conditions! reported the skipper of Groupama 3.
Groupama 3 Crew (Photo by Yvan Zedda)
Southbound
Whilst Jacques Caraës had a chance to show his fellow crew members where he lived (Aber Wrac’h) as they passed close to shore before setting off from Ushant, it’s now the turn of Ronan Le Goff to pass in front of his Brazilian home in the bay of Bahia… Indeed the giant trimaran is following a course which is parallel to the coast, even putting a little SW’ly into their route in order to drop down to 22° South as quickly as possible. In fact, due to a different weather situation, Groupama 3 is positioned around 200 miles further West than the Jules Verne Trophy holder. This differential is linked to a passage across the equator which was further West (30° W compared with 26° for Orange 2) as well as the fact that the current priority is not to sail as close to the direct course as possible, but rather to position themselves ahead of the cold front originating in Brazil.
In fact the routes of the two multihulls, with four years’ separation, have been fairly similar since the Doldrums. Added to this the speeds are identical, which has served to maintain the stability of Groupama 3′s lead (680 miles) over the past two days. In view of the forecast weather conditions, Franck Cammas and his nine crew will bend their course in towards the Cape of Good Hope at approximately the same latitude as Bruno Peyron in 2005 (22° South). This big curve towards the Indian Ocean will above all determine at what latitude the long surfs around the Antarctic will begin. From that point there are over 9,000 miles to cover in the Roaring Forties!
The crew and organisation aboard Groupama 3
• Watch No.1: Franck Cammas / Loïc Le Mignon / Jacques Caraës
• Watch No.2: Stève Ravussin / Thomas Coville / Bruno Jeanjean
• Watch No.3: Fred Le Peutrec / Lionel Lemonchois / Ronan Le Goff
• Off watch navigator: Stan Honey goes up on deck for manoeuvres
• Each watch lasts three hours
• One watch system on deck, one watch on stand-by ready to help manoeuvre, one watch totally resting
The record to beat
Currently held by Bruno Peyron on Orange 2 since 2005 with a time of 50 days 16 hours 20 minutes at an average of 17.89 knots. Lionel Lemonchois, Ronan Le Goff and Jacques Caraës were aboard at the time.
Groupama 3 Off Ushant (Photo by Yvan Zedda)
Franck Cammas and his nine crew have crashed headlong into the Doldrums: since 0400 hours UT this Tuesday morning, the tradewinds have given way to stormy squalls. However, the first phase of this passage through the `tunnel’ is going rather well with the crew maintaining the same lead of 660 miles over the reference time and the exit from this zone scheduled for this evening
Already in sight of the Doldrums last night when the skies on the horizon were striped with lightning and the rolls of thunder were audible in the distance, Groupama 3 finally hit the zone around 0400 hours this Tuesday. At the time there was still a little crescent of a moon to light up a seascape in the throes of a major reshuffle: massive cumulonimbus heralding rains and gusts of wind, a short chop coming at them head on reminiscent of the first signs of the SE’ly tradewinds blowing across the equator, flying fish in search of a breath of air before getting caught up in the trimaran’s trampolines, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere coloured by a torrid, wet heat.. one can feel it approaching, one can feel it almost upon you and then already it is snapping you up! The Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone is an octopus playing with its prey, trying to ensnare you in its tentacles, alternating between calm spells and flurries of wind, harsh changes in temperature, torrential rain and blazing sunshine…
Bruno Jeanjean and Thomas Coville Enjoying Life Aboard Groupama 3
The way out’s over here…
However, the `dark side’ of the Doldrums has its weaknesses: in order to find the way out into the Southern hemisphere, it is necessary to compromise with the squalls, to momentarily distance oneself from the course, adapt the sail area to the erratic breeze and dodge the shaded zones and the areas without wind. Navigator Stan Honey, finally back to his old self after his migraines, has been racking his brains… in a tunnel along 29° West. Groupama 3′s trajectory has been incredibly pure from Madeira to the narrowest and least active point of entry in this mass of clouds. And so far this Tuesday afternoon, the results are conclusive: though she has indeed slowed, the speed of the giant trimaran has never dipped below fourteen knots!
“Last night there was a lot of lightning in the sky and we saw the cloud masses on the radar. We didn’t suffer from too many gusts in the squalls: instead the wind eased slightly as it shifted round. The manoeuvres are simple, but we’re on the look-out and the stand-by watch is on deck… The weather window is proving to be more favourable than during our first attempt a year and a half ago. We’re set to have another three or four hours at a reduced pace of 15-16 knots, but we have just 3° of latitude (180 miles) to traverse before we hit the SE’ly tradewinds and hence a steadier wind, albeit it in close-hauled configuration… We’re going to exit the zone this evening!” confirmed Franck Cammas at the midday radio session.
Stifling heat
As such the Doldrums is proving highly cooperative and at this rate, the crossing of the equator may well be done and dusted before Wednesday 1550 hours UT, which would mean a switch of hemispheres in under six days… This would amount to at least six hours better than on Groupama 3′s previous attempt in January 2008 (6d 6h 24′), but above all a bonus of more than a day in relation to the reference time set by Bruno Peyron on the Jules Verne Trophy!
“There’s not too much cloud in the sky: we weren’t able to take a shower, but the crew is on deck in boxers! There’s an intense tropical heat here… We’ve changed season. This lunchtime we’re sailing under full mainsail and solent. Stan is looking at his charts and his satellite images in a bid to escape the Doldrums as quickly as possible: the forecasts over the medium term for negotiating the Saint Helena High have been fluctuating quite a lot over the past few hours. If we manage to maintain our lead over Orange 2, who had an exceptional run between the equator and the Cape of Good Hope, that would be superb in itself!” concluded skipper Franck Cammas.
Groupama 3 Crew After Arrival At Lizard Point (Photo by Benoit Stichelbaut / Sea & Co.)
Past the Cape Verde archipelago with a considerable lead over the reference time, Groupama 3 is now preparing to negotiate the Doldrums, a very cloudy, turbulent zone which announces the entrance to the Southern hemisphere. Navigator Stan Honey is fighting fit again and is working relentlessly to find a favourable `tunnel’ through…
Groupama 3 is ahead of schedule! The weekend proved to be a positive one with nearly 1,200 miles covered in 44 hours… As such, this average speed of 27 knots has reversed the trend: 115 miles behind at Cape Finisterre in relation to Bruno Peyron’s record, the separation has switched to nearly 450 miles this Monday afternoon, in favour of Franck Cammas and his men. A lead of over a day! Added to that, the next stage of the course also promises to be positive since the Doldrums is already practically within sight. Indeed it seems to be positioned at 8° North without being overly active, with the exception of some big clouds spanning less than a hundred miles. Furthermore the E’ly wind of around a dozen knots isn’t likely to drop off dramatically, other than for brief periods beneath the clouds.
Groupama 3 Heading Toward The Doldrums (Photo by Yvan Zedda)
Running smoothly
The harsh, headwinds from the first day at sea are already a distant memory: tropical heat, downwind conditions and smoother seas on which to slip along nicely, have this Monday enabled the crew a short spell of recuperation after the weekend’s supersonic speeds and prior to attacking the Doldrums. However, they are going to have to remain on their guard against variations in the wind and squalls…
“This lunchtime, we’re just a stone’s throw away from a squall which is about to hit… We’re sailing under large gennaker, staysail and full mainsail. We’ve performed a fair number of manoeuvres since gybing off Madeira. We’re staying on the same heading but constantly adjusting the sail area. Six or seven of us at a time are carrying out all the manoeuvres according to which sails need changing ; that way the resting watch can conserve their energy. The preparation we’ve been doing since the spring is bearing fruit: the manoeuvres are smooth and quick. Things are going really well amidst an atmosphere of total mutual trust. The only relative difficulty is getting to sleep in the intense heat” indicated Frédéric Le Peutrec at the midday radio session.
Flying fish
Since passing offshore of the Cape Verde archipelago, the NE’ly wind has eased slightly (around 16-20 knots), but Groupama 3′s average speed remains locked above 25 knots. This is set to continue as far as 8° North, which translates as the end of the night on the water, as the tradewinds back (become more E’ly than NE’ly). The upshot of this will be a beam wind enabling the giant trimaran to maintain her current speed before tackling the tradewinds of the Southern hemisphere which will shift round to the SE.
“Our navigator is a lot better this morning and has a lot on his plate monitoring developments in the weather: it’s reassuring to see that he’s better as he really wasn’t very well at all for the first few hours. We thought it was due to the violent introduction, but it was something else: after suffering with migraines and a fever, he’s fighting fit now… The point of impact with the Doldrums is something he’s been working on for what has already been two days, with Sylvain Mondon, our onshore router, but we’re having to adapt to the direction and strength of the wind. We hope it’ll be virtually inexistent!” added Groupama 3′s watch leader. In the meantime, a `plague’ of flying fish have been landing on the multihull’s trampolines: “However, they’re too small to even consider preparing them with lemon juice and a dribble of olive oil” concluded Fred.
The crew and organisation aboard Groupama 3
• Watch No.1: Franck Cammas / Loïc Le Mignon / Jacques Caraës
• Watch No.2: Stève Ravussin / Thomas Coville / Bruno Jeanjean
• Watch No.3: Fred Le Peutrec / Lionel Lemonchois / Ronan Le Goff
• Off watch navigator: Stan Honey goes up on deck for manoeuvres
• Each watch lasts three hours
• One watch system on deck, one watch on stand-by ready to help manoeuvre, one watch totally resting
Mike Perham on TotallyMoney.com (Photo Courtesy of Totallymoney.com)
17 year-old British sailor Mike Perham has become the youngest person to sail single-handed around the world. His 50ft yacht Totallymoney.com crossed the traditional Lizard/Ushant line marking the start and finish point of his 30,000 mile record-setting in bright sunshine at 09:47:30 secs (local)am this morning – two months inside the previous age record set by American teenager Zac Sutherland.
Aged 17 years, 164 days old the teenager from Potters Bar Hertfordshire, was escorted across the line by Royal Navy guard ship HMS Mersey, a helicopter from 771 Squadron at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, and a small flotilla of press boats that had been on standby overnight to record his finish.
Mike said: “I’ve made it, I’ve made my dream come true and it feels amazing. A BIG BIG thanks to my Dad, Mum, all the sponsors and every one who has helped me along the way.
I can’t believe that the Royal Navy has sent HMS Mersey and a helicopter to witness my crossing the line. I feel very honoured.”
Mike’s Dad said: “Mike is a very special son, he has done incredibly well. He has shown that with determination, you can succeed even in the most adverse circumstances. He has shown the world that he is an extraordinary young man and an inspiration to us all.”
The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, KCB OBE ADC passed a message to Mike Perham as he sailed past The Lizard passed on a congratulatory message via Lt Cdr Carl Wiseman Captain of HMS Mersey:
“The Royal Navy offers its sincere congratulations to Michael Perham on his record breaking single-handed sailing circumnavigation. This is a remarkable and inspirational achievement in one so young, another impressive event in the rich Maritime history of this island nation and of the Perham family”.
“Michael’s family have strong maritime connections, with his father having been a merchant naval officer, his grandfather having served with the Royal Navy during World War 2, and his great grandfather as a Royal Marine in the Crimean war.”
Mike Perham on TotallyMoney.com At Lizard Finish (Photo by Barry Pickthall / PPL)
“Michael sets a fine example showing remarkable character, grit and self discipline in completing this historic record-breaking voyage and the Royal Navy is delighted to participate in welcoming him back home to the UK as an honoured and much respected fellow seafarer.”
After crossing the finish line Mike was joined by his Dad, Peter to continue sailing back to for a homecoming welcome at Gunwharf Quay at 11:00 on Saturday.
Mike Perham At Lizard Finish (Photo by Barry Pickthall / PPL)
Banque Populaire V During Record Crossing (Photo by Team Banque Populaire V)
Pascal Bidégorry and his crew of 11 men aboard the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V, smashed the Transatlantic Record crossing the North Atlantic,by half a day. They also broke the 24hr record with 908 miles.
Groupama 3 also broke their own record set in 2007.
THE ATLANTIC CROSSING RECORD
The first record time for sailing across the North Atlantic was established by the ATLANTIC schooner, a 56 m long three-masted vessel skippered by the famous American captain Charlie Barr in 1905, in more than 12 days. For 75 years this record was not beaten.
Eric Tabarly was to be the first person to smash it in 1980 aboard his trimaran PAUL RICARD, cutting the time to 10 days.
Marc Pajot (ELF AQUITAINE I), Patrick Morvan (JET SERVICES II), Loïc Caradec & Philippe Facques (ROYALE II), Philippe Poupon (FLEURY MICHON VIII), then Serge Madec (JET SERVICES V) each in turn reduceD the time, the latter having achieved the crossing in 6 days 13h 3mn and 32s in June 1990 at an average speed of 18.42 knots. This record was to remain in everyone’s mind, as it stood for more than 10 years.
We had to wait for the new generation of maxi-catamarans built for The Race for the record held by JET SERVICES V to be smashed. It was beaten on 10th October 2001 by the American Steve Fossett aboard his 38 m maxi-catamaran PLAYSTATION in 4 days, 17 hours, 28 mn and 6s, at an incredible average speed of 25.78 knots.
Bruno Peyron and his Orange II crew smashed Fossett’s record aboard the maxi catamaran Orange II, finishing the course from Ambrose Light near New York City to Lizard Point off the southwestern tip of Great Britain in just 4 days, 8 hours, 23 minutes and 54 seconds – more than 9 hours faster than Fossett. Halfway through the 3,100 nautical mile trip, Orange II hit a submerged iceberg and broke one of its two steering rudders.
The Orange II Dream Team improved on the record set by Steve Fossett’s PlayStation by 9 hours 4 minutes and 12 seconds, a record that was said to be unbeatable.
Next was 105 foot trimaran Groupama III , in 2007
With an almost unbelievable time of 4 days, 3 hours, 57 minutes and 54 seconds, beating Bruno Peyron’s time on Orange II by almost 5 hours.
Today in 2009 that record has been shattered again.
Prelimary times until ratified are,
Groupama 3, – 3 days 18 hrs, 12 min, 58 secs – average speed 31.92 kts
Banque Populaire V,- 3 days, 15 hrs,25 min,48 secs, average speed 32.94 kts, peak speed 47.15 kts,
24 Hour Record, 908 mile, average speed of 37.8 kts
1905 – Charlie Barr – Atlantic – USA – 12d 4h 1m – 10.02 kts
1980 – Eric Tabarly – Paul Ricard – FRA – 10d 5h 14m – 11.93 kts
1981 – Marc Pajot Elf – Aquitaine – FRA – 9d 10h 6m – 12.94 kts
1984 – Patrick Morvan – Jet Services II – FRA 8d 16h 33m – 14.03 kts
1986 – Loïc Caradec – Royale II – FRA – 7d 21h 5m – 15.47 kts
1987 – Philippe Poupon – Fleury Michon VIII – FRA – 7d 12h 50m – 16.18 kts
1988 – Serge Madec – Jet Services V – FRA -7d 6h 30m – 16.76 kts
1990 – Serge Madec – Jet Services V – FRA – 6d 13h 3m – 18.62 kts
2001 – Steve Fossett – PlayStation – USA – 4d 17h 28m 6s – 25.78 kts
2006 – Bruno Peyron – Orange II – FRA – 4d 8h 23m 54s – 28 kts
2007 – Franck Cammas – Groupama 3 – FRA – 4d 3h 57m 54s – 29.26 kts
Challenge and Adventure's George Bekris On Board Banque Prior To Record Populaire Breaking Crossing (Photo by Donna Erichsen)
Banque Populaire V Crew Before Breaking The North Atlantic Record (Photo by Team Banque Populaire)
Groupama 3 Finishing Atlantic Crossing (Photo by Alex Julian)
Challenge and Adventure's George Bekris onboard Groupama 3 (Photo by Donna Erichsen)
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
Banque Populaire V In New York (Photo By George Bekris)
As we pull up to the Gateway Marina in Brooklyn, New York, in the distance to our right is the New York City skyline. To our left are 3 large masts towering over all the other boats in sight. These three giants are The Maxi-Trimarans Banque Populaire V skippered by Pascal Bidégorry (40m/131.2 ft) and Groupama 3 skippered by Franck Cammas (105ft) and Sodebo solo-skippered by Thomas Coville (105ft). All three are laying in wait for the weather window to set out to break the North Atlantic record. This record is a 2,980 mile run from Ambrose Light (Off the coast of New York) to Lizard Point (South-West tip of England). It is not often in the USA that we get to see such an impressive line up of Multi-hulls on one dock. They looked like thoroughbreds patiently waiting to be called into action.
We were graciously given the complete tour of Banque Populaire V, which is also the largest racing Trimaran in the world, by a member of the shore crew Philibert Chenais. As I sat in the cockpit I got a much better understanding of the workings of the boat. The sheer scale of the size of the boat becomes apparent from the cockpit. It is a long way forward and aft. The mast towers above at 47 meters/154.2ft. At this height it is taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The boat is 23.5 meters/77 ft wide. She has been lightened as much as possible and all systems have been checked and rechecked. The freeze dry food is stowed. They have no motor now except the small 27 horse needed to power the electronics and navigation gear and to keep the hydraulic systems, of which there are many, running. This is a beautiful, sleek, shiny, well maintained monster of boat.
Philibert Chenais On Banque Populaire V (Photo by George Bekris)
Banque Populaire V will carry 7 sails for this record attempt. A Cuben Fiber Main that alone and takes 8 men approximately 9 minutes to raise using the various winches and grinders positioned around the cockpit. This Main will be used on the boat for this record and also in the subsequent Jules Verne Trophy attempt next winter. Three downwind sails. A masthead and a fractional sail and a staysail. All necessary but as few as possible to keep the weight onboard down.
The 47 meters of mast is a hydraulic canting mast designed to be set to any degree necessary to keep the boat’s sail angle verticle as the boat heels. This is so that the limited apparent wind range on the maxi will not affect the sail trim. It sails so fast that the apparent wind range is reduced. The mast cants using large rams in a carbon fiber mounting down deep inside the hull. It has an 80 degree range side to side. The forward stay is attached to another hydraulic system which is used to tighten the luff so the foward sail can be kept flat. The flatter the better with this sail plan.
Images by George Bekris
(click on image to enlarge)
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- Banque Populaire V In New York (Photo By George Bekris)
The Harken winches are designed to gear down to help the crew manage the large loads on the sheets. The grinding pedestals and winches have 4 speeds. At the pull of a cord they can gear down quickly. This boat gears down to trim the jib unlike Volvo 70s, which gear up. It can take up to 8 men on the winches to trim in heavy air.
For the record attempt she will have the skipper Pascal Bidégorry and a crew of 11. The fact that this is a short run, 3-4 days for the record, sleep onboard will be more optional. The record now stands at 4 days 3 hours 57 minutes and 53 seconds . Philibert explained that for a record run of this type more crew up top on deck at any given time helps because they can quickly respond to any sail changes needed for optimum speed. Just shaving seconds off shaking out a reef or trimming the sail could mean the difference between breaking the record and not breaking it. These days the records are that tight. Every fraction of a knot means alot. During the Jules Verne Trophy run next winter they will run a more regular sleep schedule with a 5 on 5 off at any given time plus the skipper.
New York City Skyline (Photo by George Bekris)
Icebergs and whales have been a concern for the skippers on this North Atlantic run. While Banque Populaire V was crossing the Atlantic on her delivery run to New York they did hit a whale. Luckily the the daggerboard was sacrificial and designed to break off before the boat itself can be damaged. The boat can loose one and be fine as it is designed with three. The late summer attempt should minimize the risk of late season icebergs so that should not be a problem now.
Banque Populaire V will be taken out of the water this fall in France and refitted. After the refit she will be setting out to break the Jules Verne Record in the winter of 2010.
