Busy year ahead
for Groupama
If 2008 has been taken up mainly by rebuilding Groupama 3
after her terrible capsize off New Zealand in February during
her attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy, so 2009 will be rich
in sailing for Franck Cammas and his crew with three record
attempts in Mediterranean, Atlantic and around the world.
Beyond these high seas adventures, the Groupama team
will also participate in the complete iShares circuit, raced in
France, England, Germany, Switzerland and Holland.
Frédérique Granado, Groupama's Director of External
Communications spoke about their partnership: "We begin our
12th year of association with Franck Cammas. This relationship
illustrates the commitment of Groupama which is long term, faithful
and ambitious. When Franck and his crew had to abandon their
attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy, immediately after the capsize we
reaffirmed our commitment. We are now eager to see Groupama 3
sailing, both in France and abroad. And we will share the experience
to Groupama employees who are based in Turkey, Greece, Italy,
Tunisia, Spain and Portugal."
Scheduled for relaunch on 9 February, Groupama 3 will then have
three weeks of sea trials off Lorient.
"Following the breakage of the port float, we have built two new
floats with outer side of each made from solid carbon," said Team
Manager, Stephane Guilbaud. "They are heavier but stronger. To
counter this the team has worked in other areas to save weight. We
have succeeded in particular to reduce energy consumption so we
can set off with less diesel."

In addition to this they have been working to reduce the windage of
the large acreage of netting spanning the space between Groupama
3's three hulls and also on improving the hydrodynamic and
ergonomics to ease manoeuvres.
The 2009 schedule for Groupama 3 will see her cover nearly 30,000
miles with another series of records in addition to those she already
has in the Atlantic such as the W-E from New York to Lizard and the
outright 24 hour record of 794 miles.
"We 'll enjoy our sailing in the Mediterranean and Atlantic to select
the crew of the Jules Verne Trophy," says Cammas. "While the
core crew is unchanged, some have gone on to other projects. We
will look at sailors who have gone around the world, preferably on
multihulls."
Meanwhile Cammas will be working with his old tactician Tanguy
Cariou in getting a team together to compete on the iShares Cup.
Cammas has already sailed in two events on this circuit.
He concludes: "I want to thank Groupama gives us the means to
realise our ambitions for the 12th year. Apart from Fleury Michon
with Philippe Poupon, no sponsor has shown so much meaning to
Franck Cammas (helming) and crew at the Cowes event of the the word loyalty. I am very proud and even more determined for this
2008 i-shares Cup. year 2009."

  JANUARY 2009 : MULTIHULL REVIEW  41
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46