Groupama 3 repairs well underway

by Kate Jennings - Expression on 15 Jan 2009 Returning to the Multiplast yard last April after suffering damage in the Jules Verne Trophy, the maxi trimaran Groupama 3 is beginning her last month of repairs in Vannes, Brittany. Adorned with her two new floats, the quadruple record holder is gradually getting back in shape.

On the deck of the central hull, the fittings are back in place. Around the cockpit, the trampolines are being tensioned, as is the case between the floats and up forward.

On the deck of the floats, the yard’s technicians are positioning the foil casings, laser sighting to ensure they are perfectly geometric.

Down below, electronics engineers and electricians are working on installing the final instruments, which will enable the crew to be in performance mode for the three record attempts scheduled for 2009.

Reinforced but without weight increase, Groupama 3 has thus been optimised as a result of observations made at sea and work carried out by the research department.

Just one month now remains to complete this vital land-based phase. Thirty days of intensive work then before the water can course beneath the three hulls of the maxi trimaran fitted out by Groupama once more; enabling her to set out to conquer new horizons.

The four records held by Groupama 3
• Cadiz - San Salvador in 7 d 10h and 58 mn at an average of 21.7 knots
• Miami - New York in 1 d 11 h and 5 mn at an average of 27 knots
• Distance covered in 24 hours, racking up 794 nm at an average of 33.08 knots
• North Atlantic crossing in 4 d 3h and 57 mn at an average of 29.26 knots

The three 2009 attempts
• Mediterranean crossing Marseilles - Carthage in May (held by Orange who took 17hr 56 mn to cover 458 nm)
• North Atlantic crossing in July (held by Groupama 3)
• Jules Verne Trophy from 1st November (in 50 d 16h and 20 mn at an average of 17.89 knots)

http://www.cammas-groupama.com