Sail-World.com : Sodeb’O on standby - North Atlantic record attempt
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Sodeb’O on standby - North Atlantic record attempt |
Thomas Coville’s maxi trimaran Sodeb’O (105 feet) is currently moored at Brooklyn’s Gateway Marina in New York, ready to set off on the North Atlantic record attempt.
Since its launch in Australia virtually to the day, the maxi trimaran Sodeb’O has already covered nearly 40,000 miles around the world. Last winter, Thomas attempted to beat the solo round the world record and, twenty days after the start, the skipper broke the 24 hour speed record with an average of 25.8 knots, sailing 619.3 miles in the space of 24 hours. A few minutes later, the maxi Sodeb’O lost one of its bows and the skipper was forced to retire from his round the world record attempt. Disappointed but never tiring of the adventure, Thomas headed back to South Africa. After over a month of repairs in Cape Town at the America's Cup base of Shosoloza, Thomas Coville and his crew left the South African coast bound for New York.
Since the start of the month, the Sodeboys have configured the boat for record mode. The crew bunks have been taken out, the tool box lightened, the diesel tank emptied and the engine’s propeller shaft dismantled. 'Thomas simply has to put on his foulies and set off!' said a delighted Thierry Briend, the Sodeb’O Team’s boat captain.
New York (USA) – Lizard Point (GB) in less than 6 days, 4 hours, 1 minute and 37 seconds.
A century ago it took 12 days and 4 hours to cross the North Atlantic and that was quite an exploit. In order to propel his 56 metre schooner, the skipper Charlie Barr was accompanied by 50 crew members.
In 2008, Thomas Coville's objective is to make Lizard Point single-handed in less than 6 days, 4 hours, 1 minute and 37 seconds, a time set by Francis Joyon aboard his trimaran IDEC in 2005. 'It’s true that the bar has been set high. Francis’ route is exceptional once again. However, maintaining the maxi Sodeb’O at an average of over 19.75 knots over 2,980 miles for 6 days remains an achievable performance' confides the skipper of Sodeb'O. Crossing the Atlantic on a 105 foot (32 metre) multihull single-handed is an extreme challenge. 'You react like a metronome in your manoeuvres, eating, slaloming… the most important thing is to keep up a good pace. I’m expecting to be at 200% for 6 days!'
Waiting for the right weather window.
'Ideally I’ll set out ahead of a low, which will push us all the way to the finish; this is why it’s complicated choosing the right weather window. Two years ago, we waited too long for these ideal conditions. This time around we’ll be more daring' confided the skipper. Weather routers Thierry Douillard, Christian Dumard and Richard Silvani are now watching their screens in a bid to dissect and analyse the grib files, ready to pounce on the slightest movement in the lows. With this in mind, as soon as they spot this infamous favourable weather window, Thomas will jump onto the first plane to New York. The sailor will then have a few days to get over his jet lag whilst his shore crew take care scrubbing down the maxi-trimaran from top to toe. Finally, they’ll need to load two days of fresh food aboard, the rest of the freeze-dried meals, cereal bars and energy drinks already embarked.
Follow the latest on the Trimaran Sodeb'O on the website www.sodebo-voile.com
by Kate Jennings
9:50 PM Mon 19 May 2008 GMT
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