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 : Mini 2002 programm
Second edition of the Select 650 in may
image 300 x 158Start of the 2001 edition. Photo : Ch.Guigueno
The CNBPP will organize from May 1st to 5th the second edition of the Select 650. This race did take the place of the 300 miles of Concarneau this year. The minis and their single handing skippers will leave again La Baule for a 300 miles long course away form the coast of South Brittany. -
fr : Calendrier Mini 2002
Une deuxième édition de la Select 650 en mai
image 300 x 158Départ de la Select 650 2001. Photo : Ch.Guigueno
Le CNBPP a programmé pour sa saison 2002 une deuxième édition de la Select 650. Les minis menés en solitaire prendront donc à nouveau le départ d’une course de 300 milles environ au départ de La Baule. Cette course se déroulera du 1er au 5 mai prochain. -
fr : New York - Melbourne
Le trimaran Great American II bat le record des clippers de la Ruée ver l’Or
Parti le 19 septembre dernier de Manhattan, le trimaran de 53 pieds Great American II vient d’arriver en Australie. Il a franchit la ligne d’arrivée mouillée devant le Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. Il était 13h29 mardi après midi (heure australienne). -
en : New York To Melbourne
Trimaran Great American II breaks Gold Rush clipper ship record
A finish gun fired from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria at 1:29 PM today signaled a new sailing record from New York City to Melbourne. The 53-foot trimaran Great American II completed the 15,000-mile voyage to Australia in 68 days 10 hours 7 minutes 52 seconds, breaking a record that had stood for 146 years. -
en : November 2001 SeaSailSurfer of the month
Stève Ravussin, winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre
The SeaSailSurfer of the month has won the two-handed transatlantic from Le Havre to Salvador de Bahia. He is from Switzerland and is nearly 33 years old : Stève Ravussin was Franck Cammas crew aboard the 60’ trimaran Groupama. -
fr : SeaSailSurfer du mois de novembre 2001
Stève Ravussin, vainqueur de la Transat Jacques Vabre
Le SeaSailSurfer du mois s’est illustré entre Le Havre et Salvador de Bahia. Il s’agit du Suisse Stève Ravussin, vainqueur au coté de Franck Cammas de la Transat Jacques Vabre dans la catégorie des monocoques. -
fr : America’s Cup / Le Défi
Dernier entraînement des deux Class America Français à Lorient
image 300 x 158FRA 46 et NZL 32 en plein circling devant l’île de Groix. Photo : Ch.Guigueno
Samedi 24 novembre, dans le petit Solent breton qui sépare Lorient de l’île de Groix, s’est déroulé le dernier entraînement de l’année des deux Class America français, FRA 46 et NZL 32. Les deux bateaux, l’ex-6e Sens, demi-finaliste de la Louis Vuitton Cup 1999 et Black Magic, vainqueur de la Cup 1995, ne reverront la mer qu’en mars 2002 avec (…) -
en : Television
’Inside Sailing’ new TV programme on CNN
Sailors worldwide will be able to keep up with the latest sailing news with CNN’s new TV programme Inside Sailing starting this Sunday the 25th November at 2030 GMT. -
fr : Presse
Le retour du magazine Course au Large…
Course au Large était un magazine de l’époque des maxi-multicoques. Édité par l’Union Nationale pour la Course au Large, il était le pendant français du britannique Seahorse, le magazine du RORC. Course au Large avait terminé sa carrière sous un grand format illisible. -
en : FICO-LACOSTE Rankings
Ellen MacArthur world Champion for 2000-2001
The Transat Jacques Vabre 2001 was the last event to count in the biennial FICO-LACOSTE 2001 World Championships, for skipper, crews and sponsors alike, and the results of this race have finally determined the winners, who will be presented with their titles on the 7th December in Paris, at the official Awards Ceremony.
