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2009/07/02-18h58
Groupama 3 in New York
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| Bound for New York |
| Once again Groupama team is everywhere at once. Arriving in New York last night where she is being switched to the necessary
configuration for an attempt at the Transatlantic record, the crew of Groupama 3 will have to follow the performance of Groupama
40 via the internet as she competes at Hyères, in France's Var region, where Franck Cammas is helming in the second stage
of the iShares Cup.
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On the East Coast of the United States, the Boat Manager on Groupama 3 enquired as to the ambitions of Groupama 40 in Hyères;
a race zone he knows well through having often sailed there in a Tornado: "So, are the guys doing well?".
Getting
back down to business the skipper looks back at the crossing: "The boat is faultless. Even though she was heavy, due
notably to the engine, and we didn't power her up too hard, she perfectly fulfilled our expectations. She was back to her
old self, easy to handle and still as responsive as ever, particular in a medium breeze. These are important characteristics
which will enable us to be efficient over a fifty day period next winter".
As to the crew and newcomers like
Bernard Stamm and Lionel Lemonchois, Fred Le Peutrec doesn't need to dwell on the matter for long: "They have years
of collective skills and experience. Their presence aboard is obvious. It's straightforward. It's noteworthy but not exceptional,
so obvious is it".
It's the same scenario for Olivier Mainguy, a member of the shore crew in charge of the
rig, who will be a bowman during the next Atlantic record attempt: "He's working flat out; always precise and very committed.
It's also down to him and his splicing that we're in a position to trim Groupama 3 precisely. He knows her like the back of
his hand".
In Gateway Marina, the shore crew are preparing the boat, dismantling the engine, and removing
anything that no longer has a place. As dusk closes in, Groupama 3 pulls at her warps. The same is true of her crew.
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