January 18th, 2010

Small multihull class officially accepted Rum

The news is important and has been eagerly awaited by the six contenders skippers to compete in the Route du Rhum: Etienne Giroire Charlie Capelle, Reini Gelder, Jacques Vincent, Jean-Paul Froc, and myself. An addendum to the Notice of Race has been published, it says in part: "Rum in class, the multihulls and monohulls whose LOA is between 39 'and 59', 'subject that at least 5 boats are regularly enrolled in this class no later than May 31, 2010 ».

Photo © AFP

Bruno Peyron and ex. Orange Rum 2: not so crazy as this…

Orange 2 catamaran is the large (38 meters) with whom Bruno Peyron holds the Jules Verne Trophy, after which run Franck Cammas and Pascal Bidegory. The oldest Peyron holds the record since March 16, 2005, in 50d 16h 20mn 4sec. In November penny, Bruno Peyron said Philipe Eliès the Telegram "the boat is and remains the fastest machine around the world. Moreover, it has been handed starts two weeks ago in preparation for competing in the Route du Rhum 2010. I say it's the right time for a new partner embark on my side to go to the departure of the great ocean records as Jules Verne Trophy. There would then be an air of extravagance on the one hand, Cotonella, 12 meters long, and the other Orange 2, 38 meters. The picture certainly be worth his weight in peanuts!

Thomas Coville : Sodebo course, but not only…

For 2010, the program Thomas Coville is rich. He announces in effect on its website a total of 67,000 miles traveled in all oceans of the world, with not less than two world tours and four chairs. And if we created a new record, one of the greatest distance traveled in one year? Chick?
The marathon will start with that with which in 2009 had ended, that is to say by a new stand-by with Groupama 3, the trimaran skippered by Franck Cammas and that Thomas will embark again as helmsman for a attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy.
After World tour aboard Groupama, Sodebo will stand by the side of Cadiz, between May 3 and June 25, to address the record of the Discovery Route between Cadiz in Spain, and San Salvador . Or 3884 miles to go in less than 9d 20h 32min and 23 seconds, the time set by Francis Joyon in November 2008.
Sodebo be the start of the Route du Rhum, where it will be of course the trio of favorites (with Idec and Gitana 11). After the Route du Rhum and the return of the trimaran in France, Thomas wanted to leave around the world in pursuit of their Holy Grail, the record for World Tour alone, held by the same Joyon. Sodebo should be on standby from December 11.
"We started in 2009 a broad discussion on the evolution of the vessel including the establishment of foils, something that titillated me since the launch in June 2007," says Thomas. "By adding foils, they carried a ball that has an impact on any vessel behavior on its balance. It will even change the way I navigate. We must also anticipate the reactions of drivers and rethink the sail plan.

Banque Pop V, go, go away ?

Already a month and a half since November 12 exactly, the blue and white trimaran is pending, and no weather window does not point the tip of her nose. It is still pending but all the weather analysis unit set up by Pascal Bidégorry is on deck 24hrs on 24hrs to try to detect the window as expected they will meet the fabulous challenge.
Since the beginning of the year, potential windows were presented, but as Pascal Bidégorry explains, "is to give each a very painful decision because we all really want to go. We had some opportunities in effect since early January and it is possible that there have others in the coming days. But there is great complexity in decision making because a file weather really is studied in depth. With the days of reliable visibility that we have, the rest is based on analysis of probability. The analysis of the good weather window appears to be very subtle.
Vigilance is the watchword of Team Volksbank who observes and analyzes all the different systems and their evolution: "Gradually the phenomena begin to return in winter and systems is what we expect. But there are still too low winds, the Azores High is too often absent subscribers. Finally, conditions in the southern hemisphere begins to develop gradually. Arriving in southern Brazil, the situation can be very complicated and often decisive for the success of the first part of the Jules Verne Trophy. Be patient, we still have some time ahead of us to do a good job with the degree requirement necessary to meet such a challenge, "concluded Pascal Bidégorry.

For the first time, 5 Alinghi sails in Valencia…

What epic for a lake boat! Without ever having crossed an ocean, without ever having sailed more than a few hours, the great Swiss catamaran has yet taken on the shores of Lake Geneva, traveled by helicopter over the Alps, found the waters of the Mediterranean, is mounted on a freighter to go taste the Persian Gulf, before returning for another ship would come to Valencia, where perhaps it should have come directly if a judicial imbroglio was not forced to travel these abracadabrantesques ( ...).
Finally, there it is, he sailed in Valencia, Spain. A few days ago, Alinghi has allowed local authorities in the Valencia base of Dársena to attend the launching of the giant catamaran. While the huge sails were raised on board with a crane, the last legal action (the ninth of BMW Oracle) has been raised. "Our sails are designed from the Swiss technology and have been manufactured in Villeneuve, Switzerland. All the challengers and defenders of the America's Cup since 1995 using this technology in Switzerland and we have spent years developing the design for Switzerland. If the U.S. court system says their illegal use, it would be like asking Roger Federer to defend his title without his tennis racket. BMW Oracle America's Cup win in the courts because without our sails, we can not navigate, "said Ernesto Bertarelli.
Gamesmanship, the NGA has yet released a draft of the Sailing Instructions for the Deed of Gift Match.
http://www.alinghi.com/multimedia/docs/2010/01/100108_33rd_AC_Sailing_Instructions_draft.pdf
Société Nautique de Genève has also issued the Notice of Race amended by the 33rd America's Cup including the recent decisions of the Supreme Court of New York, following discussions with representatives of GGYC / BMW Oracle Racing in Sydney December 15 2009.
http://www.alinghi.com/multimedia/docs/2010/01/100108_33rd_AC_Amended_NOR_draft.pdf

BMW Oracle against Alinghi: What's New!

While Brad Butterworth, Alinghi skipper and representative of the Geneva Nautical Society, was in Singapore, engaged in discussions to resolve the remaining issues before the Deed of Gift Match for the America Cup, with David Tillett ISAF President of the Jury for the America's Cup and David Kellett, ISAF representative, BMW Oracle has broken off negotiations by filing its ninth lawsuit against Société Nautique de Genève to the Supreme Court of New York to try to disqualify the Defender of Upcoming Games.
"BMW Oracle has already managed to disqualify 18 teams through the U.S. court system to get the game and now seeks to win the Cup without even racing," said Brad Butterworth. "This lawsuit is a real shock because we had planned to meet again to continue discussions today. This shows their utter bad faith. They are obviously not ready to race. They have ignored the jurisdiction of the ISAF Jury for the America's Cup, they have yet to see the light form, and returned to court in New York where they think they have more chances to win case, "he added.
According to Alinghi, "the words of BMW Oracle Alinghi advancing use of sails made in the United States are fake. The sails will be used for the game were made in a sail loft at Villeneuve in Switzerland. Furthermore, the manufacturing process of these sails is subject to Swiss law on intellectual property. The inventors of this process, Jean Pierre Baudet and Luc Dubois are two Swiss engineers. All the challengers and defenders since 1995 have used sails 3DL based on Swiss technology. Before continuing: "The BMW Oracle attempted to derail the America's Cup and ignore the jurisdiction of the ISAF, and his anti-sports Standing unacceptable," and said Fred Meyer, Vice-President NSE. "Alinghi is ready to run Feb. 8 as requested by the court April 7, 2009. We've earned the right to defend the America's Cup on the water, winning the 31st and 32nd. We want to go racing. We do not want the outcome of the America's Cup is decided in court ", he concluded.
A ruthless world...

January 6th, 2010

A good year at all

A new year is always important, and even more so when it was in his wallet or a project, whoever they are, big or small, and from the moment one puts all the energy and passion necessary to make possible its realization.
I wish you all that regularly, just surf this site a happy new year 2010.
Thank you very much to all of you who sent me emails of encouragement and support, they move me and motivate me every day a little more. And make it all the more achievable goal for 2010: to be the start of the Route du Rhum in Saint-Malo, October 31, to a fine voyage, fast, and get to the other side, Pointe à Pitre ; and of course, icing on the cake, being first class in Rum. Better yet, in Class 3 multihulls, which, as I indicated in previous news, will be created from the time when five multihulls in length between 39 and 45 feet will be registered.
Research funding in advance, and although nothing is yet signed, we must not lower our guard. So please pass this newsletter.

The year 2009 was marked by the disappearance of three circumnavigators, pioneers, who gave me their way to the desire and the desire to always do everything to go through with my dreams.
The most famous is of course Jacques-Yves Le Toumelin. I had the chance to meet with him Gwenved to Guerande facing Croisic, where the boat's travel, Kurun (a boat that not belonged to him more) and on which he had in 50s, made a world tour in the tropics ( 'Kurun around the world'), solo, and a trip to the Caribbean ( 'Kurun West Indies'). These works were translated around the world, had won him international fame. Then, he had built this house Gwenved, and his property he received regular Tibetan monks (he was the uncle by marriage Matthieu Ricard, the translator in French of the Dalai Lama). Moreover, the prayer flags adorning the walkways leading into the house).
Earlier this year, there was the death of Annie Van de Wiele, also author, with her husband, architect Louis Van de Wiele, a world tour in 50 years. At a time when the foamed booksellers, it's Penelope was the trip 'had been advised to Morlaix, and during the World Tour of Orca, he was somewhat the theme of my journey. During the transit of Torres Strait, including our two boats (Omoo and Orca) with similar speeds, I was surprised to wet the leeward islands of the same ... For a report (in Water Sports magazine worship today ' Today ceased publication) on the disappearance of Peter's Café Sport in Horta in the Azores, I had the pleasure of speaking with her on the phone.
The third browser I've ever met, also the least known because he never wrote a book, is Roger Plisson. Several times I made a detour through the center of Malestroit in the Morbihan to admire this tiny boat with which he had also around the world in the 70s. The Virginia Francis, from dry to medium planters, measured only 7.75 m by 1.75 m wide! Only a small plaque affixed to the boat, reported the feat that this boat and its skipper had made.

Indirectly, it is thanks to these three sailors, pioneers in their own way, I'll run this year's Route du Rhum.

But it is time to look ahead, and this year 2010 for multihulls looks rich. In a few days at most a few weeks, Groupama 3 and Banque Populaire 5 should rush to conquer the Jules Verne Trophy. As of February 8, at Valencia, will be held the America's Cup, between two large multihulls, Alinghi 5 and BOR 90. Finally, proof that we are most interested, the Route du Rhum.

Groupama 3 : return to Lorient, and soon on stand-by !

Americas Cup: it goes on ... (Photo © George Johns ; Guido Trombetta/Alinghi)

On 15 December, the Appeals Chamber of the Supreme Court of New York affirmed the decision of Judge Kornreich of October 30, 2009 which disqualified the choice of the Defender of the America's Cup, the Société Nautique de Genève on Ras al-Khaima in the UAE as the venue for the 33rd America's Cup. The four judges also upheld the decision of the judge to exclude Korneich rudders measures the waterline length of boat.
"Once again, the strategy of BMW Oracle to win the America's Cup through the courts rather than water is successful. For the first time in the history of the America's Cup, the Defender is deprived of his fundamental right to choose the place of occurrence. Société Nautique de Genève accept this decision and Alinghi was looking forward to racing on the map of Valencia in Spain in February 2010, "said Fred Meyer, Vice-Chairman of the NGA. Following the next issue ...
Just before Christmas, the big catamaran was therefore again loaded onto a cargo ship towards Valencia in Spain. According to Murray Jones, who led the sailing program, "the weather was great and allowed us to sail almost every day. We did everything we expected. Of course, as always, it would be nice to have a little more time, but we are pretty happy with what we did. We still have many things in the coming weeks when we are in Valencia, but all major decisions have already been taken. " One thing is certain, the weather will certainly not be the same in Spain in winter, "even during a round, there can be large variations in strength and direction. Winter in Valencia is quite difficult. We'll have to adapt and be able to change pace by using the right sails for the proper angle and good wind strength. We also push the boat a little further than we have done until now. The other team also. Knowing our limitations facing the opponent could also be a factor in the outcome. "
Finally, the boat was under water in Spain in the early days of the new year. Any team would move into the base of the Dársena (the inland port of Valencia) to begin final preparations for the Deed of Gift Match, which starts next February 8.
The catamaran Team Alinghi 5 poles and 20 containers of equipment have reached their final destination aboard container Cassandra B Monday, January 4 after a journey of 14 days starting from Ras Al Khaima in the UAE where was based team.
"We hope that the people of Valencia will be pleased to witness the arrival of our catamaran in Dársena and monitor preparations. From what we know, the American challenger is also arrived in Valencia. As these new ships are much faster and the race is run off, away from the coast, it will be difficult for fans, sponsors and journalists to come and see the water, so I think the Dársena be an important arena for this event, "said Grant Simmer, design team coordinator for Alinghi.
The first sailing scheduled to begin mid January for the defender.

Rhum in sight: a big yard for Sodeb‘o.

 Hauled in a hangar at Saint-Philibert, Brittany South, the construction of large trimaran Thomas Coville must continue throughout the month by sanding full platform, including painting and coating, before finally being completely repainted for its launch next April. Meanwhile, members of the crew dismantle what can be. The winches in the engine, all equipment will be revised, changed, lightened optimized. Of course, like all racing boats, this site aims to winter weight gain, and even more so when the goal is no longer a world tour, but the Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale . Especially, Sodeb'O will receive foils, like the dead 60-foot ORMA. "What slows a boat, is all that is in the water, hull, appendages," says Benoit Cabaret, co-designer of the boat with Nigel Irens. "The objective is to minimize the drag in order to accelerate. A foil resembles an airplane wing that passes through each float and is immersed in demand, according to the speed and the wind conditions and sea With the speed, the foil, which relieves the float s' student out of the water. The weight of the boat is well on the small portion of remaining submerged foil and drag is reduced to an absolute minimum. Martin Fisher (geophysicist, statistician and expert on fluid dynamics) designs the geometry of the foils, taking into account the structural data by John Lewell (computer design). Benoit Cabaret provides the latest plan and coordination of architectural approach for Thomas and his team. Bernard Pointet designs the control system of the foils. Nicolas Groleau and his team build wells and grafted (parts that will host the foils in the floats). And finally, the foils are currently under construction in Brest from Florian Madec Composite.
Source: www.sodebo-voile.com

Gitana 11 : Winter starts for a favorite and titleholder

Put dry for almost a month and a half, who already face ultimate favorite class is in the works to allow the crew to make some improvements. They will focus particularly on the appendages. Yann Guichard said that "one of the big issues of this site is to advance the well of foils in order to win in the general balance of the platform. Similarly, new rudders for floats will be made because we want to increase their surface and thus increase the control of the boat at the helm. Finally, a retractable propeller shaft will be established to reduce hydrodynamic drag. Regarding veils, they are making impacts in La Rochelle, those used for testing in September and October were those of the old version of Gitana 11. Much work was also provided on-board systems, including autopilots and means of video filming.
As for Gitana 13, it has also regained its port end of the year, after two months of sailing, particularly devoted to the home staff and customers on board. Note that this campaign will allow the crew of Gitana 13 to establish a new reference time between Gibraltar and Tel Aviv, one of the stops of their trip: 7 days 42 minutes 57 seconds.
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Gitana 11

Gitana 13