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2008/02/09 - 09h11
Curb South
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| Jules Verne Trophy |
| Still in a S'ly air flow, Groupama 3 is continuing its course due East but with the rotation in the wind expected over the
coming hours, the giant trimaran will finally be able to curve its heading inwards towards the Kerguelen Islands...
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As regards room for manoeuvre, the situation is not improving for Groupama 3! Still blocked by the eastern edge of a zone
of high pressure, Franck Cammas and his nine crew cannot gain southing, whilst Orange II was able to gybe and pick its way
down to the SE at this stage of the course... and therefore gain a lot more ground! Even though she's maintaining a speed
in excess of 25 knots, Groupama 3 is seeing its `capital of miles' crumble as each hour goes by and impatience must be beginning
to set in aboard the giant trimaran. Of course, the sailing conditions have radically improved since yesterday and the weekend
promises to be rather pleasant on the water, with temperatures still mild and a wind, which will end up clocking round to
the W. The crew will simply have to wait until midday when the wind gods deign to turn their mast wand...
At this
point the speedos will start to fly and the VMG will exceed 25 knots. The big glide towards the Kerguelen Islands should begin
this Saturday afternoon and shouldn't stop then until they approach Tasmania! Of course there will be some gybes to perform
and they'll have to watch out for the very deep lows, which are dropping down from the North, like the one forming over the
austral archipelago this weekend. It clearly won't be a good day for taking a walk around the Bay of Morbihan opposite the
science base of Port aux Français in the Kerguelen Islands! Snow, hail, rain and enough breeze to pull dogs off chains are
on the menu, reminding the sailors in the Deep South that these regions are the most inhospitable in the world. Fortunately,
Groupama 3 is set back from this very violent weather phenomenon and will be able to lengthen its stride over the long W'ly
swell. Some gliding in view then...
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