Multihull Review October 09

RACING NEWS
Words by Mark Orr
Transatlantic
Record
Pulverized
Pascal Bidégorry and his 11 person crew on board
the maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V, have absolutely
pulverized the historic west to east transatlantic record.
Leaving New York on 30 July at 22h 47mn 42s UT they
have crossed the finish line, between Lizard and Ushant at
14h 13mn 30s UT. The new record time is 3j 15h 25 mn
48s at an average speed of 32,94knots over a distance of the boat close to her maximum for a very long time. It's their
2921 miles first record and it's superb for them.
They take the record from Groupama 3 who led the way We also pushed Groupama 3 harder than we've done before
for most of the crossing having passed Ambrose Light off and we can still get more out of her. We should finish at
New York 2 hrs and 45 minutes earlier. They were passed around 1430 UT, even though the wind is set to ease over
by Banque Populair V earlier today. the final stretch. It's a fantastic time that Groupama 3 will set
nonetheless! Around ten hours less equates to 10% more
This 40m trimaran was launched a year ago and has so speed... We'll beat our own record.
far not managed to show her potential but her speed has
never been in doubt. It has been surprising just how fast It's good training for the whole crew as it will be virtually the
she is. same for the Jules Verne Trophy. We know the boat's limits
better now as we've gained nearly 60 miles on the 24 hour
She has set a new 24 hr record of 908 miles at an average record... The round the world is a bit different in terms of
speed of 37,8 knots, quite extraordinary. format as these fairly open points of sail at full power aren't
in the majority. The game of tactics and strategy will be more
Banque Populaire has broken the existing record by 12 open than on a Transatlantic attempt."
hours 32min and 6 secs.
North Atlantic Record:
Groupama 3 improved her record by 9h 44min finishing in
3d 18h 12min 56secs at an average speed of 31.92 knots, Departure time: 30 July 2009at 00h 47mn 42s
just 2 hrs, 12 mins behind. French time (22h 47mn 42s UT)
Arrival time at
Commenting on the record attempt Franck Cammas of Cape Lizard : 2 August 2009 at 16h 13mn 13s
Groupama comments: French time (14h 13mn 13s UT).
"Since Saturday evening, we've been accompanied by Distance : 2921 milles ( 5 410 km)
a slightly gentler breeze, but there's always been a few Average speed : 32,94 knots
clouds and gusts around and we've been sailing fairly Highest speed : 47,15 knots
close to the wind. We're making headway under heavy
gennaker and mainsail and we're still progressing fairly New reference
quickly... time for the Atlantic
Banque Populaire V has an impressive speed potential! We crossing: 3 days15 hours 25 min 48secs
suspected she could go faster than Groupama 3 in these
weather conditions, especially in a 24 hour record bid: Time that Banque Populaire V has beaten the 2007 record:
5% better is a big deal. As regards trajectory and rhythm, 12 hourss 32min and 6 secs.
we've done what we set out to do, but they've set the
standard very high and this Translatlantic record attempt 24hr Record:
will be very hard to beat because the weather has been
practically perfect... They've driven their boat very, very Number of miles : 908 miles (1682 km)
fast. It'll be a superb time at Lizard Point! Bravo to Pascal Average speed : 37,8 knots
and his crew! Nevertheless I'm surprised by their speed:
they were conditions which suited them, but they pushed See Paul Larsen’s Endpiece for comment!
44 MULTIHULL REVIEW : OCTOBER 2009
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