Jules Verne Trophy
Geronimo keeps her spirits up
De Kersauson’s trimaran becalmed 200 miles from the equator line
lundi 25 février 2002 –
With 200 miles still to go to the equator (at 13:00 GMT today), sailing conditions are hardly in Geronimo’s favour. The ten or so knots of wind available mean that the Cap Gemini Ernst & Young - Schneider Electric team trimaran is making very slow headway towards the Southern Hemisphere.
"Even the weather forecasts are up the spout", said a powerless Olivier de Kersauson. "It’s therefore very difficult to predict what will happen. This area of heavy, humid, air tends to spread out like water on a table top. Nothing can stop it".
As if the lack of wind wasn’t enough, violent storms are no also hindering the progress of the giant grey multihull in her attempt to beat the Trophée Jules Verne record. "It’s best not to look at the sky too much if you’re of a nervous disposition" roars Kersauson with laughter. He continues on a more serious note : "We’re in a sluggish weather system surrounded by lightning slashing across the horizon. Half the time, we have to run the boat with no electricity at all. Sailing without wind direction, electronics and communication. But then again, we don’t want to be struck by lightning and get fried".
Despite having to cope with such difficult conditions, Olivier de Kersauson and his crew are certainly not giving in to the pressure and continue to manoeuvre the boat in a constant attempt to catch even the slightest breeze. The work schedule for the Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Schneider Electric watches (who do six hours on deck turn and turn about) is punishing but is also being done in great good humour. "The solution to this problem lies in our ability to move out of this windless area. When will that be ? I just don’t know at the moment. What I do know is that Geronimo is certainly keeping her spirits up !"
Dans la même rubrique
-
en : Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue
Tom Laperche, winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race : "This is my first victory as skipper"
Aboard Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue, skipper Tom Laperche and his crew claimed victory this Monday, July 28, in the 51st edition of the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race, from Cowes (UK) to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (France). Already winners of the previous edition and current course record holders, the crew delivered a strong performance just months ahead (…) -
en : ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest
Charles Caudrelier crowned 1st king of the round the world race for foiling multihulls
Blessed with a perfect sunrise, flat seas and a modest 15kts breeze as he approached the long awaited finish line off Brest this morning Charles Caudrelier took time to enjoy the final ten miles of his solo multihull race round the world. -
en : Jules Verne Trophy
Yann Guichard : "The mast fell to the leeward of the boat"
At about 1600h (CET) today, Monday 15 January 2018, Spindrift 2 was sailing just off Point St Matthieu and Camaret in Brittany on her way to the start line of the Jules Verne Trophy, when she dismasted. -
en : Trimaran Macif
Round the world solo : François Gabart smashes the single-handed round the world record
François Gabart, who left Ouessant on 4 November 10:05 (UTC+1), crossed the finishing line of his solo round the world, located between Lizard Point and Ouessant, at 02:45 (French time, UTC+1) this 17 December. For his first attempt, the MACIF trimaran skipper establishes a new single-handed round the world record of 42 days, 16 hours, 40 (…) -
en : Ultim
The Bridge : François Gabart and Macif win The Bridge – Centennial Transat trimaran race
New York, François Gabart loves the city so much he has won there twice. After winning solo last year, Gabart came back with a five-man crew and showed again that in this race of giants Macif is king. -
en : Gitana Team
32-metre long and 23-metre wide : the Maxi Edmond De Rothschild is unveiled
On Thursday, March 30th, the Gitana Team invited the press to the Palais de Tokyo to mark the official launch of Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, a "giant" 32 meters long by 23 meters wide, which is experiencing its last months of construction after more Of a year and a half of construction. The launch of this new Gitana unit is scheduled for July. A (…)
A la une
Articles les plus récents
-
en : TP 52
52 SUPER SERIES : American Magic champions in Puerto Portals
On the 52 SUPER SERIES’ return to the Mediterranean after two regattas in the Atlantic, 2025 circuit leaders American Magic Quantum Racing scored a resounding victory today on the Bay of Palma, Mallorca, lifting the top prize at Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week. -
fr : Imoca Paprec Arkéa • The Ocean Race Europe
Yoann Richomme : "On a cravaché pour revenir mais on est super heureux"
L’équipage composé de Yoann Richomme, Mariana Lobato, Corentin Horeau et Pascal Bidégorry a franchi la ligne à Carthagène ce samedi à la 3e place à 08 :37 :41 (FR) après 5 jours, 14 heures et 37 minutes de compétition. Il boucle ainsi une étape mouvementée qu’il a un temps dominée, notamment en passant en tête le détroit de Gibraltar, avant (…) -
fr : Course en équipage | Imoca
The Ocean Race Europe 2025 : Nouvelle victoire du Biotherm de Paul Meilhat à Carthagène
Paul Meilhat et son équipe sur Biotherm poursuivent leur sans faute au classement général provisoire de The Ocean Race Europe après avoir récolté tous les points disponibles depuis le départ de Kiel, le 10 août dernier. -
fr : Imoca Holcim-PRB • The Ocean Race Europe
Rosalin Kuiper : "C’est fantastique d’être ici, à la deuxième place"
C’est juste avant le lever du jour, à 6h19 heure locale, que l’IMOCA Holcim-PRB a fait son entrée dans le port de Carthagène. À bord, Rosalin Kuiper, Franck Cammas, Nicolas lunven, Alan Roberts et Anne Beaugé (OBR) affichaient un immense sourire. Ils sont le deuxième équipage à arriver en Espagne après Biotherm, qui s’impose une nouvelle fois (…) -
fr : Circolo della Vela Sicilia
20th Palermo-Montecarlo : Top prize for Manticore as Black Jack sets another new record
After leaving Mondello, just north of Palermo, at midday on Tuesday, competition in the Maxi class, part of the 41 boat fleet in the annual Palermo-Montecarlo, was decided on Thursday. The IRC corrected time victory went to a first time winner, while one of the race’s most frequent competitors was again both first home and set a new race (…) -
en : Wingfoil racing
2025 World Cup Series : Alessandro Tomasi and Maddalena Spanu win Türkiye event
Italy’s Alessandro Tomasi and Maddalena Spanu claimed top honours at the Audi 2025 WingFoil Racing World Cup Türkiye, delivering standout performances in a variety of testing conditions on the Bosphorus. -
fr : Sail GP • Saison 5
Sail GP Sassnitz : Quentin Delapierre et son équipe vainqueurs en Allemagne
L’Équipe de France SailGP a signé ce dimanche une victoire haletante en remportant la finale du Germany Sail Grand Prix de Sassnitz au terme d’une bataille très engagée pendant ces deux jours de course. Cette finale indécise, menée de bout en bout face aux Australiens et aux Britanniques, marque la plus belle performance de la saison pour (…) -
en : SailGP Championship 2025
SailGP Germany : Les Bleus win their first event of the 2025 Season
In a stunning weekend comeback, the France SailGP Team claimed their first event win of the 2025 Season – bouncing back from near-disaster in practice to beat the BONDS Flying Roos and Emirates GBR in an action-packed winner-takes-all Final. -
fr : Imoca Allagrande Mapei Racing
Ambrogio Beccaria : "on est super contents… j’ai qu’une envie : repartir naviguer !"
Après 4 jours intenses de réparations, de doutes et de travail collectif acharné, l’IMOCA Allagrande Mapei d’Ambrogio Beccaria est prêt à rejoindre Portsmouth pour prendre le départ de la deuxième étape de The Ocean Race Europe. -
en : World Surf League
2025 Championship Tour : Molly Picklum and Jack Robinson Win 2025 Lexus Tahiti Pro
Australians Molly Picklum (AUS) and Jack Robinson (AUS) have claimed victory at the Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, Stop No. 11 of 12 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2025 Championship Tour (CT) and the last event of the regular season. It was another incredible day of competition at the ‘End of The Road’ with the men’s Final 5 being locked (…)
