Transat Jacques Vabre- Safran and Groupe Bel in stealth mode

by Safran Sailing Team on 24 Nov 2009 Since 1100 hrs this morning, Safran and Groupe Bel have switched to stealth mode. They had one final card left to play with the finish still expected in the middle of the night between midnight and 0400 hrs CET (2300 hrs - 0300 hrs GMT).

Even if the two leading boats are now in stealth mode, they are being closely followed by Jean Maurel, the Race Director and by their own teams thanks to the GPS positions regularly and automatically sent back ashore.

The members of the Safran Sailing Team therefore know Safran’s bearing, speed and distance from the finish. Only one thing can be said for now: everything is fine on board, even if the official rankings at 1700 hrs are notable for the absence of the two frontrunners! The track is remaining as smooth as ever and the speed is clearly good in respect to the weather forecasts. On the other hand, the Safran Sailing Team has no way of finding out what is happening aboard Groupe Bel at the moment. A better course, a higher speed? Only the Race Director can reply to that question or indeed one of the members of the Groupe Bel team…

The suspense, which increased when the two boats battling it out for victory slipped into stealth mode, should come to an end two hours before the finishing line is crossed. At that moment, according to Race Instructions, the crews have to make an official announcement. That is why that we shall only find out late in the night what the real gap is between Safran and Groupe Bel. Will it have extended or be much less than the last rankings showed at 0800 hrs this morning, when 90 miles separated them. The suspense is building...

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