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July 6, 2007

Weather stalls trimaran's bid to set crossing record

NEWPORT—The crew of a racing trimaran, determined to set a new transatlantic speed record, was crossing the ocean today at speeds in excess of 500 mph.

Unfortunately, instead of sailing the 105-foot Groupama 3 from New York to England, the sailors were returning home to France on an overseas flight. Unfavorable weather forced them to indefinitely postpone their ocean voyage.

“It was impossible to break the record,” said boat captain Pascal Blouin shortly before boarding an airplane.

The $11-million French vessel, made out of aerospace technology carbon fiber, arrived in Newport early last month. It had already set speed records on the way, first from Tenerife, Spain Spain, to San Salvador, Bahamas, (seven days) then from Miami to New York (36 hours).

The maxi-trimaran — with its 72-foot mast, distinctive green and orange markings, and three hulls connected by trampoline-like mesh — tied up at Newport Shipyard in early June. It stopped here for maintenance for the transatlantic ocean crossing and to await perfect weather. Historical meteorological patterns indicated that the optimum time for making the crossing is in July.

On Monday, the weather forecasts looked good. On Tuesday, the 10-man crew arrived in anticipation of departing for Ambrose Light, off New York, the following day. But then weather patterns changed off Europe, scuttling the trip to Lizard Point, England.

The record, set two years ago by another multi-hulled vessels, Orange II, is 4 days, 8 hours, 23 minutes and 54 seconds. To break the record, Groupama will need to average 28 knots. It has reached 42 knots (nearly 50 mph), but Blouin said the one-year-old vessel has yet to hit its top speed. Nevertheless, the weather conditions must be ideal to break such a formidable record.

“We are still waiting until July 26,” Blouin said. “If nothing happens, we will bring the boat back to France.”

Blouin said that Groupama has other goals to accomplish. One is setting an around-the-world record.

But for now the French sailors will wait to see if the weather will allow them to return to Newport to attempt the transatlantic record, or if their preparations will be rendered fruitless.

The weather last night scuttled another attempt at a transatlantic crossing -- a solo voyage by a Frenchman aboard a 23-foot rowboat. He had to be rescued 50 miles off Provincetown, Mass., by the Coast Guard.

-- Journal staff writer Richard Salit

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 5:58 PM | Permalink

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