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2009/12/18-17h33
Making ground towards the West...
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| Jules Verne Trophy 2009 - 2010 |
| After setting out from Cape Town last Saturday, Groupama 3 is continuing to make headway towards Brittany, with her next objective
none other than the formidable passage through the Doldrums.
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Currently the trimaran and her crew are right in the middle of the Atlantic, level with Ascension island. Pushed along by
a SE'ly breeze, Groupama 3 is slipping along under full mainsail and gennaker, westbound in order to make up the ten degrees
separating her from her entry into the inter-tropical convergence zone at the desired point!
Ronan Le Goff, usually
bowman aboard, is taking up the role of watch leader and helmsman on this delivery trip. Contacted this morning, the Finistère
sailor described the scene: "Aboard Groupama 3 we're making the most of the favourable breezes to gybe and make westing.
The point where we're going to traverse the Doldrums lies at 26° West! The zone shouldn't be too complicated."
On
watch with a sailor he knows really well, Ludo Aglaor, Ronan is enjoying reminiscing: "Ludo and I are still Jules Verne
record holders and then, last year with Lionel (Lemonchois) aboard Gitana 13, we got the Hong Kong - London record. We've
got a bit of history together! It's nice to see each other again and see him finding his way around our thoroughbred!"
Keeping
a very close eye on the navigation and Groupama 3 herself, the crew is nevertheless making the most of the trip to savour
the surrounding environment: "As the skies were clear last night we were able to see the stars; a bit of astronomy with
the novices! The day before yesterday we saw a dramatic whale blow! It's always beautiful and very impressive."
The
climb up towards the Northern Atlantic is continuing at a fairly steady pace. The team are set on getting to their destination
as quickly as possible and then heading off again as quickly as possible in order to "finish off what they began, even
though the current objective is to get back to Brittany!"
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