With less than 80 days till the start of the Volvo Ocean Race, Groupama 4, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Team Sanya – three of the seven Volvo Open 70s registered for the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race – have their first chance to sail against each other on the 608 mile course linking Cowes and Plymouth, via the emblematic Fastnet Rock.
At 1310 hours (GMT) the three Volvo Open 70s took an upwind start in a 20 knot south-westerly wind. In the middle of the start line but slightly set back, Groupama 4 was preceded by her two direct rivals, with Abu Dhabi first out of the blocks.
Each very close to each other, the three VOR 70s were racking up similar speeds as the wind increased and the seas got heavier.
Handicapped by around ten minutes by what must have been slight damage to the keel ram, Groupama 4 lost a little ground in the ensuing tacking battle to stay in the favourable current that runs down the sublime Solent, so treasured by the local photographer, Beken of Cowes.
Thanks to sheer speed, Groupama 4 was able to quickly close back down on Team Sanya, skippered by Mike Sanderson, and clearly Franck Cammas and his crew are absolutely intent on making the most from this first offshore race to see how their boat measures up to her rivals.
Franck Cammas and his crew had been awaiting this moment for some considerable time: “Participating in the Rolex Fastnet Race is very interesting for Groupama sailing team: it’s going to be the first opportunity for us to do battle with some other Volvo Open 70s. After two years of training, it’s great to be able to sail within contact of each other. We’re very curious to see Abu Dhabi on the water. She’s a new boat, which has been extremely well-designed as regards her architecture. Mike Sanderson, the skipper of Team Sanya, has taken over an older boat, but she should still be able to make good speed in the weather conditions forecast.”
Groupama 4’s participation in the Rolex Fastnet Race will doubtless have an impact on the standard of Groupama sailing team’s work over the coming months. The result of the race, the way the boat performs, the crew’s attitude and the chance to see how they measure up to the other competitors, will all be a basis for the observations which will enable the team’s weaknesses and strengths to be highlighted.
There is some pressure on getting a result but Franck Cammas is looking at this as a positive thing: “We are under pressure… and so much the better! It’s important that the members of the crew are confronted with this situation. During the training sessions, we don’t have the same mindset. It’s essential to see how a crew reacts in such a situation. Off with the simulation: we’re in the real world now!”
According to the latest grib files the wind is set to ease overnight this Sunday before building again the following day, where the passage across the finish line in Plymouth is likely to take place on Tuesday morning.