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11:10 AM Fri 15 May 2009 GMT
Groupama 3 set off on the Mediterranean record this Friday morning at exactly 0719 UT according to the representative from the W.S.S.R.C, responsible for observing the departure of the maxi trimaran owned by the insurer-banker Groupama.
Groupama 3 will have to arrive in Carthage before 01hrs 15' 33' (UT) on Saturday 16th May in order to break the record set by Bruno Peyron.
Squalls and reduced visibility accompanied her passage across the start line situated abeam of the Pomegues lighthouse (43? 15.7' N- 005? 17.4' E), at the exit from the harbour of Marseilles, on the islands of Frioul.
Franck Cammas and his 6 crew set off with 2 reefs in the mainsail, staysail and gennaker aloft. The atmosphere onboard was one of concentration as the conditions expected throughout the course (458 miles) will most certainly be feisty. Groupama 3 is heading southwards on starboard tack in a freshening tramontana and building seas.
The first gybe is scheduled for around 1200 UT between 50 and 70 miles to the North-East of the Balearics. Around this zone the waves will be between 4 and 4.5 metres and there will be 30 to 35 knots of breeze, gusting to 40 knots!
On the way out of the harbour of Marseilles, the target speed of 32 knots was reached!
So they're off, bound for the open ocean with the wind in their sails and the bit between their teeth...
Groupama 3's crew
1) Franck Cammas
2) Fr?d?ric Le Peutrec
3) St?ve Ravussin
4) Lo?c Le Mignon
5) Ronan Le Goff
6) Lionel Lemonchois
7) Thomas Coville (The skipper of Sodeb'O is currently on stand-by for the Discovery Route record. However, no window is presenting itself so Thomas will be aboard Groupama 3)
On shore: Sylvain Mondon (weather adviser)
The best times
1988: Saab Turbo (FRA), catamaran 22.80 metres (Fran?ois Boucher) : 1 day 02h
1990: Jet Services V (FRA), catamaran 22.80 metres (Serge Madec)
1991: RMO (FRA), trimaran 18.28 metres (Laurent Bourgnon) : 22h 09m 11s
1991: Pierre 1er FRA), trimaran 18.28 metres (Florence Arthaud) : 22h 08m 26s
May 2002: PlayStation (USA), catamaran 37.90 metres (Steve Fossett) : 18h 46m 48s
25th september 2004: Orange II (FRA), catamaran 36.80 metres (Bruno Peyron) = 17h 56m 33s
by Groupama 3
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Marion Reef, QLD
