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2008/02/14 - 08h49
Patience...
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| Jules Verne Trophy |
| Still blocked between two systems, Groupama 3 is sailing in light, variable winds. Frustrating for the crew and detrimental
to the number of miles covered, the whims of the Indian Ocean are delaying the giant trimaran's passage at the longitude of
Cape Leeuwin, at the SW tip of Australia.
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In twelve hours, from 1700 UT yesterday to 0500 UT this Thursday morning, Groupama 3 has conceded nearly 70 miles
of its virtual lead over the current Jules Verne Trophy holder. Forced to make numerous changes of tack in downwind conditions
blown by a fairly light W'ly breeze, which heads as it eases when Groupama 3 makes for the NE and fills in as it backs when
she makes for the SE, Franck Cammas and his men are covering a lot of ground at low speed.
Questioned by email at
0500 UT this morning about their estimated passage of the longitude of Cape Leeuwin, the skipper of Groupama 3 replied
ironically: "in 10 hours?" whilst the trimaran was only around a hundred miles from this infamous Cape.
The
only benefit of this situation is that life onboard which, lacking punch is more like a cruise than an ocean race. This is
just a way of speaking of course, since in this shifty breeze, the manoeuvres are legion and the fear of conceding precious
miles all too evident.
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