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2009/10/28-13h55
Ready to go... from Brest!
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| Jules Verne Trophy 2009 - 2010 |
| Arriving in Brest on the afternoon of 26th October, Groupama 3 is now ready to set off on her bid to conquer the Jules Verne
Trophy from 1st November onwards.
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"We're seeking to gain any advantage we can. Setting out from Brest will be easier from a maritime viewpoint, both in
terms of hoisting the sails in the lee of the harbour, and making for the start line off Ushant with what we expect will be
a fairly strong N'ly wind" explains Franck Cammas.
For this final sail between Lorient, the home port for
the Groupama trimarans since 1998, and Brest, five of the ten Jules Verne crew were aboard. Boat captain Loïc Le Mignon was
naturally in position, as well as Bruno Jeanjean, Lionel Lemonchois and finally Thomas Coville, who knows the port at the
tip of Brittany like the back of his hand: "I have a lot of memories of this place. Some good, some bad, but none that
have left me feeling indifferent".
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Moored in the new port of Le Château, just in front of La Boudeuse, Groupama 3 is making the most of the fine facilities
in Brest to finish off the vast amount of preparation: "We still have to remove the propulsion engine and lift out the
propeller shaft" explains Yann Mérour, a native of Brest in charge of logistics. He adds: "The supplies will
be loaded as soon as the bilges are clean, on Wednesday or Thursday".
Responsible for keeping an eye on Groupama
3, Yann and his team will be making regular return trips between Lorient and Brest: "There are always a few details
that can be improved on; a boat is never ready" he concludes, though he is not averse to making the most of the stand-by
period in Brest to invite his friends along to admire the maxi trimaran. Meantime, some of the other members of the team will
be deciphering the grib files on a daily basis, in search of the right weather window...
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