| France. Route du Rhum: Stève Ravussin, Orange Project, the cool underdog |
|
|
|
|
; "Trimaran Orange Project © Thierry Martinez / Orange")
| Friday, 27 October 2006 | |
|
Pierre Giboire: The weather experts examining the weather developing for the first few miles of the race towards Pointe à Pitre are predicting a calm start, in light to moderate winds on flat calm seas. Perfect conditions for the new generation of trimarans, which are lightweight with narrow hulls enabling a minimum surface area to be submerged. Launched in 2001 with the name of Banque Populaire III, the Orange trimaran does not present such characteristics. Her weight and beam give her a huge appetite for strong winds and heavy seas, the exact opposite of the situation expected on Sunday between Grouin Point and Cape Fréhel. Ravussin is not particularly worried about it: «The place of underdog suits me perfectly,» the Swiss sailor Stève Ravussin said, shrugging it off. He is waiting for the big moment, when they are set free and any calculations become pure vanity, as the men are left alone with their boats and just their thoughts for company facing the huge ocean that lies ahead. Fair wind and good sea conditions… « It’s true I like the wind and rough conditions,» admitted a particularly relaxed Ravussin three days before the start of the eighth Route du Rhum. «I hope you understand when I say I am pleased to be setting off in some decent conditions, with the risk of breakage reduced.» The single start line from which the 74 yachts will set out on Sunday, with their lone yachtsmen at the helm, promises not only to offer a wonderful sight on TV, but also a monster traffic jam of sails and carbon as the boats cross in front of each other on their indiscriminate routes. If the fine weather does arrive, it will encourage a crowd of pleasure boats to set out on the 18 mile stretch between the starting area at Grouin Point and the buoy off Cape Fréhel, marking the final compulsory stretch before heading off out to sea and Guadeloupe. In addition to the thought of the 3600 mile journey across the Atlantic, there is also the worry for the lone yachtsmen and more particularly for the twelve pilots of the 60-foot multihulls, of having to deal with a sail area full of hundreds of other vessels. A start with the foot down on the pedal… While awaiting confirmation of the weather, which Roger Nilson, the official router –navigator for the Orange family, will not fail to offer him today, Stève Ravussin is taking up the role of chaser with a certain degree of pleasure: «I think everyone will start with their feet all the way down on the pedal,» explained Stève. «We should expect everyone to try to get up as much speed as possible especially in the light airs, and keeping a little way back at the start doesn’t worry me, as long as I don’t get left way behind.» The Swiss sailor is therefore preparing for battle by reading the weather charts correctly with the help of the ever present Roger. «The race is long and there are many occasions when you can lose or gain time. My task is to find a clear trajectory and to stick to it as quickly as possible. Then, we have to count on the mechanical aspect. You can easily lose a few hours, if you have to deal with a broken batten. However, the Orange trimaran has at her disposal a huge potential of speed that I am going to have to exploit at every opportunity, as we will also have the possibility of extending the lead.» Careful attention to the equipment, a clear-headed approach to studying the weather charts, resistance to pain, sheer endurance…. Welcome to the world of ocean racing as seen from an ocean racing multihull. |
|
| Last Updated ( Friday, 27 October 2006 ) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|