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2007/03/29 - 18h30
Groupama 2 back in the water
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| After more than three months spent in winter refit, the Groupama 2 trimaran hit the water again today, early afternoon, and
is now back to his respective pontoon at the Kéroman submarine base. However, due to windy conditions in Lorient, it has
been impossible to put the mast. Fortunately, Franck Cammas and his team, guided by Bruno Laurent, are not in a rush. Depending
on weather conditions, the mast should be back on the 60' platform by tomorrow mid-day.
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Groupama 2 winter refit outlines
General check-up: Nothing left to chance, every small detail was inspected
As usual, the winter refit started
by stripping the boat: deck equipment, winches and transmission systems. Then, the hydraulics, electronics and electric equipment
were closely examined.
Improving the performance of the foils
The foils have been moved forward in order
to make the trimaran more stable in reaching conditions. This operation, the most important structure-wise, involved taking
the foil casing apart and manufacturing new male moulds. Once the carbon has been laid up and cured, the new foil casings
were then installed. Meanwhile, new reinforcements going in the floaters were made. Finally, the foils themselves were checked
to measure the deformation suffered from last season.
Groupama 2 technical team also took the opportunity during
this winter refit to modify the steering system by removing the ram connection.
Rigging optimization
Load
cells were installed on solent and jib stays and the mast transfer speed improved. Beside, Franck decided to use a single
running backstay to decrease the windage.
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