Route du Rhum - Cammas and Groupama take transatlantic solo victory

by Vincent Borde on 10 Nov 2010
Route du Rhum victory to Franck Cammas.

It was at 15 hours 16 minutes 47 seconds (GMT) today that the skipper of Groupama took victory in his first solo transatlantic race! Beneath the glorious sunshine of Guadeloupe and surrounded by a horde of spectator craft, Franck Cammas couldn't conceal his happiness and his emotion.

He covered the 3,539 miles in 9 days 3 hours 14 minutes and 47 seconds, at an average speed of 16.14 knots... Franck Cammas' achievement is a sizeable one on a trimaran spanning 31.5 metres in length and 22.5 metres wide! In fact she is the biggest boat that has ever competed in the Route du Rhum la Banque Postale! Hearty congratulations to Franck for expertly helming his Groupama 3.

After a triumphant departure from Saint Malo where they took the lead of the fleet from the off, Groupama 3 and her skipper led the Ultimate fleet virtually from beginning to end, only conceding their leadership during the first 24 hours. Since 31st October 1202 GMT, Franck Cammas hasn't once eased off the pace aboard Groupama 3. After a series of tack changes, gybes and brainstorming sessions with his routers Jean Luc Nélias and Charles Caudrelier, the 38 year old skipper takes victory on the highest step of this much coveted podium thanks to his southerly route. This solo victory was all that was lacking in the list of achievements racked up by this passionate and talented sailor.

Groupama and Franck Cammas have been together for 13 years now. Loyalty and commitment form the backbone of the insurance and banking group and they unquestionably play a large part in this success.

Jean Azéma, Genereal Manager of Groupama summed up the company's reaction: 'I am very happy for Franck as it's a fabulous victory, which tops an impressive list of achievements with one of the finest solo races there is, the Route du Rhum. All the group's representatives and colleagues, who have followed and supported Franck for the past 13 years, are proud of this victory.

I'd also like to thank the shore crew and the sailing team for their commitment in fine tuning Groupama 3 over the past 4 years, through the various record campaigns and the ambitious gamble to configure our trimaran for one man alone.

Today's victory is a reflection of a solid partnership between the Team led by Franck and Groupama, which is constantly seeking to combine the sporting aspect and the business aspect.

Groupama and Franck will now continue the adventure on another type of boat, right around the globe, marking our commitment to sailing and the loyalty of this partnership.

Our shared adventure, which is expressed in the joy of victory, but also sometimes in the more difficult times, will remain based on reciprocal trust which enables ambitious projects to be built upon.

I am delighted that this victory has come just days before the start of the Banque Postale IARD, which Groupama is partnering. It augurs well for our future success.'

In a hour's time, Groupama 3 will be tied up in the harbour basin of Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe, in front of the Place de la Victoire! All that remains is for Franck to fully savour his achievement.

www.cammas-groupama.com