Sodeb’O, un giro e torno
MultiscafiSodeb'OVela 18 Novembre 2008 Zerogradinord 0
[singlepic=815,250,170,,left] Vela e record – Brest – Fuori i secondi per il maxi trimarano Sodeb’O e per il solitario francese Thomas Coville che, tagliando la linea di partenza di Brest nel pomeriggio di oggi, ha iniziato ufficialmente il suo tentativo di migliorare il primato sul giro del mondo senza scalo fissato nei mesi scorsi da Francis Joyon a bordo di IDEC.
Visto l’orario di partenza, per ritoccare il record del connazionale, Coville dovrà fare ritorno a Brest entro le 03.27 del 15 gennaio prossimo.
“E’ il momento che aspettavamo da tanto tempo. La libertà di poter scegliere quando partire rappresenta una gran comodità, ma optare per il momento sbagliato può compromettere le possibilità di record già dopo pochi giorni. La decisione è ricaduta su oggi perchè abbiamo notato chela situazione tra Capo Verde e le Canarie è in rapido miglioramento – ha spiegato il solitario pochi minuti prima di imbarcarsi – Se le previsioni saranno rispettate dovrei avere prima vento da nord-ovest sui venti-venticinque nodi, seguito poi da un giro a nord-nordest. Condizioni che dovrebbero permettermi di raggiungere l’Equatore in sette giorni”.
Per visitare il sito di Sodeb’O clicca qui.
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Video courtesy Sodeb’O.
SODEB’O: OUT THE SECONDS
[Sodeb’O Voile Press Release] The maxi-trimaran Sodeb’O crossed the start line of the solo round the world race against the clock in a multihull today, Tuesday 18th November, just minutes before 14.00 GMT, that is at 13 hours 54 minutes and 14 seconds GMT precisely.
There was 15 to 17 knots of N/NW’ly wind and the boat was making headway under one reef mainsail and staysail. To beat Francis Joyon’s record, Thomas Coville will have to pass the Petit Minou lighthouse at the entrance to Brest harbour by 15th January 2009 at 03 hours, 27 minutes and 20 seconds GMT at the latest.
“It’s a moment for which we’ve all been waiting for several weeks. The freedom in the choice of departure time is an important and decisive decision for the next stage. We decided to set out today because this morning the situation between the Canaries and the Cape Verde islands has become clearer, without being completely transparent!” explained the skipper of Sodeb’O late this morning. “The routing we did at 0900 hours this morning with the grib files fulfilled the ‘theoretical’ objective of making the equator in 7 days.”
Thomas continued, explaining that “after observing the situation over the past few days, it looks really good now with a fairly easy sea state at the start in a 20-25 knot NW’ly, which will be followed by a N/NE’ly wind rotation, providing the multihull with a better angle on the wind”. In other words a fine downwind descent pushed by the breeze is in view, “conditions in which the boat shouldn’t suffer too much and where I can make good speed without being overly physical.”
The skipper concluded his last radio session on shore with a few more personal thoughts: “I admit that I love this moment when inertia turns to action; it’s a moment we all prepare for. I certainly feel a twinge of sorrow at leaving land. I am a landlubber like you all but I’m heading into a hostile ocean”.
To visit the Sodeb’O site click here.
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