Foto copyright AFP
Fuente info Groupama
Press release of the 2010/11/08
2010/11/08 - 17h34
Prudence...
Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale 2010
From Saint Malo to Pointe-a-Pitre
With less than 200 miles to the finish, the skipper of Groupama 3 is focusing more than ever on prudence in the squally weather.
Tacking to leeward of the islands that make up the Caribbean arc, under one reef mainsail and staysail, Franck Cammas is making the most of these final hours of solitude before being thrust into the arms of the public and the journalists who are ready and waiting.
On shore and at sea, time is finally ticking by at pace. Initially expected at the finish line late afternoon this Monday, Groupama isn't likely to make the approach towards the Basse Terre mark before 2300 local time, that is 0300 hours GMT time.
At that point there will be just fifteen miles to go in downwind conditions before crossing the finish line in Pointe à Pitre. As to the difficult task of giving an ETA alongside the quay, it would seem highly unlikely that it will be before 0600 hours GMT.
In between times, we'll be flying over Groupama 3 during her approach this afternoon, local time.
This will be an opportunity to make the first live visual contact with the maxi trimaran and her skipper.
Positions at 1500 GMT on Monday 8th November
1/ Groupama 3 some 193.4 miles from the finish
2/ Sodebo 263.5 miles from the leader
3/ Idec 334 miles from the leader
4/ Gitana 11 some 588.5 miles from the leader
