Just hours after the victorious arrival of Francis Joyon in Brest, the crew of Groupama 3 announce a new passage to Code Orange,
synonymous with a possible departure on the Jules Verne Trophy attempt within the next 4 days. If this weather window is confirmed,
the 31.50 metre maxi trimaran could leave its home port in Lorient on the afternoon of Wednesday 23rd January, in order to
make the start line off the island of Ushant in the early hours of Thursday 24th.
Waiting for a favourable weather window since 6th December 2007, Franck Cammas and his nine crew have already seen two
gaps open up and then close again (on 24th December and 1st January). In this way they know all to well how decisive these
next few days will be for their starting bid. Interestingly, were Groupama 3 to cross the start line off Ushant next Thursday,
it would set off three years to the day after Orange II, current holder of the Jules Verne Trophy with a time of 50 days 16
hours 20 minutes and 4 seconds.
The gap on Thursday 24th January viewed by Sylvain Mondon, weather expert on Groupama 3
"The window we're studying is narrow, only lasting a matter of hours and it emanates from a rather atypical situation
for the start of a round the world record attempt. Indeed, the Azores high, which is currently positioned fairly North, is
climbing up towards the English Channel whilst repelling a cold front. Ahead of this front, we can observe a 10-15 knot SW'ly
wind, but this is set to clock round to the NW for a few hours, kicking up between 20 and 30 knots of breeze. Today, we can
see this phenomenon occurring in the early hours of Thursday 24th January. With this gap being linked to the extensive
high pressure, we'll have to keep a close eye on the movements of the Azores High over the next few days, as if it shifts
over faster than forecast, the window could close."
