Page 18. MAINE COASTAL NEWS April 2015 AMERICA'S CUP & VENDEE GLOBE NEWS Continued from Page 8.


Rob Wilson is in charge of assimilating all that feedback, recording the results and developing the playbook. “My job,” says Wilson, “is to make sure that we accurately record the conditions and results of each test, ensure that the result is valid, and that we correctly note any undue or unusual in- fl uences.” By the time the fi rst gun goes to start the racing for real, the team’s playbook will hold an enormous amount of data. The assimilated knowledge of thousands of man-hours of sailing on the Great Sound will be brought to bear on all the tactical and strategic decisions that will decide the fate of the 35th America’s Cup – and it all started here, and it all started this week.


Vendee Globe Update


Safran: the fi rst new generation IMO- CA 60 launches


On Thursday, February 5 at 1730 hrs (French time) at the CDK boatyard in Lori- ent, Safran, the new IMOCA 60 skippered by Morgan Lagravière was launched for the fi rst time. After a year of construction in Port-La-Forêt and then Lorient, the VPLP-Guillaume Verdier-designed boat, the fi rst of the new generation of 60ft boats built for the 2016 Vendée Globe, has been unveiled to the public.


The launch of a boat is always loaded with emotion, especially when it includes


significant technological developments. “2014 has been a year of transition for me, I immersed myself in the construction of my boat, while dreaming of the time when I could get into the optimisation and compe- tition phase,” Morgan Lagravière, skipper of the new Safran, said. “Now, I can’t wait to sail this boat, and that moment is almost here.” A long-term project, now realized Since 2013, the Safran Sailing Team and the architects Guillaume Verdier and Vincent Lauriot-Prévost, have been work- ing on this project to create an innovative boat with maximum performance, which responds to the new IMOCA rules. Safran has a powerful hull with foils (designed to support lift to relieve the hull on downwind angles and thus gain speed), a rotating wing mast set further back, a deeper and lower cockpit and a pronounced front section of the hull. “The new rule, which requires all boats to have the same keels and the same masts (wing or classic but standardised), was ultimately not a constraint, but probably a way to innovate again,” Lagravière said. “For my part, I worked especially on the cockpit. The two transats I did onboard the fi rst Safran gave me experience.” Marc Guillemot, skipper of the fi rst Safran, had a major role in the development of the new IMOCA 60, and was able to bring his rich experience of more than thirty years of competitive sailing on all the world’s seas. “It was two years of hard but really rewarding work,” Guillemot said on this


important occasion. “I think the design of the new Safran would not have been the same if it hadn’t been inspired by my experiences. I remember having lots of discussions in the last Transat Jacques Vabre. I’m very pleased to have been part of this project.” The launch of the beautiful, sleek 18.28m long and 5.80m wide Safran, which wears the number 25, was an intense mo- ment for all the CDK team and the Safran Sailing Team. Morgan Lagravière said: “I didn’t ex- pect to feel so many emotions during this launch. I’ve just taken the helm of Safran for the fi rst time and I had the feeling of already having a connection with my boat. It’s a huge pleasure for me but also for the whole team who have built a magnifi cent boat. I’ve just experienced a very important moment in my life as a sailor.”


The new Safran in brief: The hull is wider with a large bow to be clear forward and keep the hull balanced even when the boat heels.


The bilge is higher to increase power. The cockpit is deeper and lower for better protection. A rotating wing mast with outriggers for better aerodynamics. A lift supporting design: foils like a “Dali moustache” to increase power. Technical specifi cations Architects: The VPLP fi rm and Guillau-


me Verdier; Builder: CDK naval boatyard; Length: 18.28m (60ft); Beam: 5.80m; Draft: 4.50m; Mast: Rotating wing; Mainsail:


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Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core busi- nesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equip- ment), Defence and Security. Operating worldwide, the Group has 69,000 employ- ees and generated sales of 15.4 billion euros in 2014. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. The Group in- vests heavily in Research & Development to meet the requirements of changing markets, including expenditures of 2 billion euros in 2014. Safran is listed on Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC40 index.


Other News:


Sad news of the death of Florence Arthaud


The world of ocean racing is mourning the loss this morning of Florence Arthaud. She was killed in a tragic accident in Argen- tina yesterday, when two helicopters collid- ed during the fi lming of a TV reality show for French television. Seven other Frenchmen were killed including the swimmer, Camille Muffat and the boxer, Alexis Vastine. Flor- ence Arthaud was one of France’s greatest yachtswomen and charmed the public, when she won the 1990 Route du Rhum, the solo transatlantic race between France and Guadeloupe. Bruno Retailleau, Presi- dent of the Saem Vendée, which organises the Vendée Globe, declared on his twitter account this morning: “Terrible news for the world of sailing. Florence Arthaud was a true pioneer. The Vendee Globe is today in mourning. The Vendée Globe team offers condolences to the friends and family of Florence Arthaud and the other victims.


The 2016 Vendée Globe boats: Groupe Quéguiner


Among the boats currently being prepared for the next Vendée Globe, the monohull Groupe Quéguiner (Ex-Safran) has a particularly interesting pedigree. Built for Marc Guillemot to compete in the 2008 Vendée Globe, the legendary IMOCA has had her share of ups and downs. It is now in the colours of Groupe Queguiner that the 60-foot boat will continue with Yann Eliès at the helm. He will be attempting to complete the Vendée Globe after failing to do so in 2008 and will also be attempting to make it to the podium. Safran: the result of a new method of working


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