Category: Spindrift 2017

Sorry, this entry is only available in French.

As the giant trimaran made its way to the Créac’h Lighthouse (isle of Ouessant) for a second attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy, Spindrift 2 dismasted at about 16:15 today (monday 15 january 2018), south of pointe Saint-Mathieu in a strong 30 knot westerly breeze and rough seas.

Spindrift 2 was ready for this new attempt around the world with a relatively favourable weather window, after a long two-month stand-by at La Trinité sur Mer and then in Brest, Brittany.

With strong winds around Brest, the start from the pontoon was delayed to 1430h. Once Spindrift was into the Iroise, an area of open sea in front of Brest between the Atlantic and the Channel, the sea state was already well formed and the wind blowing at more than 30 knots with strong gusts. As the boat tacked towards the Ouessant Channel, with no warning suddenly Spindrift 2 dismasted. No crew member was injured in the incident.

© Chris Schmid / Spindrift racing

“Everything happened very fast! In a few seconds, the mast was down. We have been waiting for two months for this new attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy: this window was our last chance. It is a big disappointment for the whole team, both at sea, and on land as we were all ready. We have spent a lot of time optimising the boat, and everything collapses in a few moments” said Yann Guichard.

“We were heading to the start line: there were relatively strong conditions with 30 knots of wind and three metre troughs. A few moments before we were going to tack towards Pointe Saint-Mathieu, the mast broke for some unknown reason. The most important thing is that there were no injuries on board. Unfortunately we had to drop the mast into the sea as we did not want to take any unnecessary risks for the crew because we were very close to the rocks at Toulinguet. Operations are currently underway to recover the mast and rigging as quickly as possible, as the weather is set to deteriorate early tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. We will now start the process of understanding what has happened” he concluded.

© Chris Schmid / Spindrift racing

At about 1600h (CET) today, Monday 15 January 2018, Spindrift 2 was sailing just off Point St Matthieu and Camaret in Brittany on her way to the start line of the Jules Verne Trophy, when she dismasted.

At the time the 40m trimaran was sailing at 15-18 knots of boat speed in 30 knot westerly winds and in three metre seas.  Spindrfit 2 had two reefs in the main and the J3 (ORC).

Yann Guichard, skipper of the Maxi Spindrift 2 says: “The crew is safe and sound. Everything happened so fast. The mast fell to the leeward of the boat. The conditions were not so extreme. It’s too early to know exactly what happened. We had to drop the rigging to save the boat and prepare it for towing.  Operations are currently underway to recover it.”

Spindrift 2 will now return to Brest and is currently under tow and expected to arrive later this evening.

Yann Guichard and his crew arrived in Brest last night to start the Jules Verne Trophy. Despite a good though not ideal weather window, after two months on stand-by Spindrift racing has decided to take its chance and will leave the dock late this morning to be at the Créac’h lighthouse in the afternoon.

The team was planning to start a week ago, but the weather further down the course did not materialise as anticipated.  However, the area of depression that is currently sitting off the coast of Brittany has finally given the team the opportunity to start their challenge on the Jules Verne record. With strong conditions forecast for the start, the current files show the team reaching the equator in just over five days (5d 5h – 5d 10h), which will give them a cushion on the reference time set by Francis Joyon and his crew (5d 18h 59′).

The team is aiming to catch an area of depression off the coast of Brazil to give them a quick crossing of the South Atlantic towards the Cape of Good Hope.

“We are now Code Green: the latest weather files confirm our departure from the pontoon around noon today, with a Jules Verne Trophy line crossing following quickly.  The 25-30 knot wind from west to north-west will strengthen as we cross the Bay of Biscay, and we are expecting big seas with five metre waves.  It looks like the first 12 hours will be hard going, but then the wind will soften off Cape Finisterre to more moderate trade winds, and we will be doing a lot of gybes towards the Canary Islands,” commented Yann Guichard as the last of the fresh food was taken onboard Spindrift 2.

Yann Guichard has made the decision to return to Brest following analysis of this evening’s weather files.  The weather window, which mobilised Yann Guichard and his eleven crew to leave Brest at 1800h did not materialise as expected.

After a long stand-by, in the main due to a very active North Atlantic, Spindrift racing is planning to start their Jules Verne Trophy attempt late tonight (Monday). The crew has all now arrived in Brest to make the final preparations ahead of leaving for the start line late this afternoon. 

This more favourable weather window comes after a series of depressions and extreme conditions similar to those seen with Carmen and Eleanor in Western Europe at the start of this year. While the North Atlantic still remains complicated, a more favourable weather window is emerging with the arrival of a succession of fronts off the Azores: after an upwind start, a wind shift in the Northwest will allow the team to quickly join the trade winds at the Canaries.

A CHALLENGING START

“We have not had an opening since the start of our stand-by mid-November! This is the first opportunity that is emerging but we will start by joining the front to the West that will then allow us to go downwind from Northwest to the Canaries.  With the exception of this start, the route looks pretty classic towards rounding the Azores. “ says the skipper of Spindrift 2, Yann Guichard.

It is anticipated that the team will cross the equator in a little over five days, slightly longer than the time achieved by Spindrift 2 during its first attempt in November 2015 (4d 21h 29 ‘), but it should set a good benchmark against the current crewed record (IDEC Sport 2017: 5d 18h 59 ‘). The aim is to enter the Indian Ocean with a small margin compared to the current Jules Verne Trophy, but also to pull together a favorable meteorological configuration in the Southern Ocean.

“It does not look as if the St. Helena High in the South Atlantic will block us, but let’s face it: we planned a stand-by until the end of January and starting at the beginning of this week, we no longer have a joker to play!  Whether it is a successful attempt or not, there will be no more this winter … So we must make good time (around 12 days) to reach the longitude of Cape Agulhas.  IDEC reached this point in 12d 21h 22s but then had a remarkable section across the Indian Ocean. 

“Spindrift 2 is ready, the crew is ready, we are happy to leave! The only thing left is to pick up the fresh food this morning and we anticipate leaving the dock at about 1700h and crossing the line late tonight (Monday). ”  Yann Guichard

A NEW DEDICATED WEBSITE
With a departure imminent later tonight, Spindrift racing has launched its website platform dedicated to following the record attempt with real-time cartography and an interactive dashboard: WWW.SPINDRIFT-RACING.COM/JULES-VERNE

VIDEO: START AND FINISH IN USHANT
This is where the adventure starts and ends. Discover the atmosphere of the departure along the coastline of the island of Ushant by meeting Thierry Leygnac. Thierry, a helicopter pilot based in Morbihan has been at many of the starts and finishes and gives his bird’s eye view of this iconic race. Click here

SPINDRIFT IMMERSION IN VANNES
Spindrift Immersion will be the public control centre for the race, allowing visitors to follow the team and the attempt with the latest photos, videos and logbooks from onboard the boat. A route map will show weather and boat data all in real-time. Open from Wednesday to Sunday.

Get onboard Spindrift 2 through a series of 360° videos!

SPINDRIFT FOR SCHOOLS
Developed for pupils aged between 6 to 15 years old, the Spindrift for Schools programme invites pupils to follow the Jules Verne Trophy attempt with an Adventure Book, themed lessons, downloadable maps and other engaging and educational tools. Sign up and join our global classroom!  www.spindriftforschools.com

EMAGAZINE FOCUS#5
Read again our e-magazine, FOCUS which is entirely dedicated to the Jules Verne Trophy here you can find background on the crew, the team and the event itself. Click here

Spindrift Racing announced today that the team was passing in Code Orange. The maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 could leave Brest and cross the starting line of the Jules Verne Trophy within 4 days. More information to come.

Inspired series: it is one of the 3 web-series released by Spindrift Racing during the Jules Verne Trophy record attempt. Through these videos the team makes us discover the 12 members of the crew of trimaran Spindrift 2. All these videos are to discover on their Youtube channel.

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwSaHrNqoYaVEgQr7UaBAzQ
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKP-8qr4oSI
Yann Guichard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9_YmLVWMxQ
Erwan Israel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rFbh0rWp9E
Christophe Espagnon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5FJ0CM7nyE
Sam Goodchild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54XRl4MsE0I
Antoine Carraz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn67Y0CBd7k
Jacques Guichard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvsC2keKijA
Xavier Revil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KQdLxwtbIY

Since the start of November, Spindrift racing has been on standby waiting for the right weather window to start the Jules Verne Trophy, the crewed non-stop, round the world record that passes the three Capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn). To share this adventure with the public, the Spindrift Immersion exhibition space will be at the port of Vannes from December 13.

Located on the docks near the Tourist Office, this newly updated space will offer the general public the opportunity to learn more about the team’s preparation, the history of this mythical record and the anticipated conditions, as well as experience a snapshot of life onboard.

The exhibition has been developed so that it appeals to both children and adults alike, and will allow them to go behind the scenes of this demanding challenge and exceptional human adventure.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to virtually get onboard Spindrift 2, the world’s largest racing trimaran, through a series of 360° videos that place the viewer alongside the crew while they are offshore.  Excitement guaranteed!

Once the maxi-trimaran has started its race around the world, Spindrift Immersion will be the public control centre for the race, allowing visitors to follow the team and the attempt with the latest photos, videos and logbooks from onboard the boat.  A route map will show weather and boat data all in real-time.

Space for schools

As part of the Spindrift for Schools programme, this space will also be used to welcome schools, activity centres, sailing clubs and other organisations wishing to share this adventure with the younger generation through engaging educational workshops led by the team.

For more information about the classroom facility and to organise group visits, teachers and facilitators can register their interest by emailing: education@spindrift-racing.com
Join the adventure

And for those keen to have a souvenir of the record attempt and support the team, Spindrift Immersion has a small retail area stocked with the full official Spindrift racing collection, also available online at www.spindrift.shop

 
Spindrift immersion – Key information

Opening day: December 13
Open Wednesday to Sunday
Free entry and animation
Eric Tabarly Dock, Vannes

The entire Spindrift Racing Team, both sailors and shore crew, are on the alert!
They are ready to go. The crew and their maxi-trimaran, Spindrift 2, are waiting for a favourable weather window to start their Jules Verne Trophy record attempt.
You too could be part of this challenge to try and race around the world in 40 days, and there is a lot of ways to follow and share the adventure.

© Chris Schmid / Spindrift racing

E-mag Focus#5

The new edition of their e-magazine, FOCUS, is entirely dedicated to the Jules Verne Trophy here you can find background on the crew, the team and the event itself. Click here

As they cross the start line they will launch their dedicated website so that everybody can live the challenge with their real time interactive map and dashboard. Spindrift has also produced three video series that will take you behind the scenes with the team.  These will be  broadcast throughout the stand-by and the attempt itself.

Connect series :
Connect to the human and physical preparation of the team as they prepare for this extraordinary challenge and try to break the Jules Verne Trophy record. Come and discover behind-the-scenes as they have prepared for the record attempt: anticipating food needs, the physical and mental preparation of sailors, and analysis of weather files and routing etc.

Inspired Series :
Get inspiration from meeting the twelve crew onboard Spindrift 2 through a series of video portraits where they talk about their motivation and passion for the adventure that is the Jules Verne Trophy.

Ocean Series :
Join Dona Bertarelli as she gives us a very personal tour of the Jules Verne Trophy route, drawing on her experience to recount the highlights of this iconic course.

News, analysis, weather reports as well as photos and videos from the boat, will add to the offering.

2017 Jules Verne Trophy crew:

Yann Guichard (skipper)
Erwan Israël (navigator)
Jacques Guichard (watch captain / helm / trimmer)
Christophe Espagnon (watch captain / helm / bow)
Xavier Revil (watch captain / helm / trimmer)
François Morvan (helm / trimmer)
Antoine Carraz (helm / trimmer)
Thierry Chabagny (helm / bow)
Ewen Le Clech (helm / trimmer)
Sam Goodchild (helm / bow)
Thomas Le Breton (helm / trimmer)
Tanguy Cariou  (helm / trimmer) / Erwan Le Roux  (helm / trimmer)

Router: Jean-Yves Bernot

The Jules Verne Trophy:

Start and finish: a line between Créac’h lighthouse (Isle of Ushant) and Lizard Point (England)
Course: non-stop around-the-world tour travelling without outside assistance via the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn)
Minimum distance: 21,600 nautical miles (40,000 kilometres)
Ratification: World Sailing Speed Record Council, www.sailspeedrecords.com
Time to beat: 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds
Average speed: 22,84 knots
Date of current record: January 2017
Holder: IDEC Sport, Francis Joyon and a 5-man crew