Sea, Sail & Surf newsJules Verne Trophy
Orange is keeping up a good average
dimanche 17 mars 2002 –
Beating into a 20-knot wind and a difficult head sea ; 4 metres of swell and a confused chop right on the nose, Orange has today managed to cross the centre of the high-pressure system that has been chasing her from the Argentinean coast. "This centre was moving faster than us at almost 40 knots" said Bruno Peyron. "We didn’t have any other choice but to cross it last night. It wasn’t exactly hell, no, but not heaven either. The boat was slamming against the swell and the lack of wind deprived us of the inertia necessary to maintain the boat nice and flat. It was making the rig and sails suffer. Most of the time we were under-canvassed to avoid the boat taking off on the waves." Slowly, Orange has progressed to the east, towards the African coast. With daybreak, Peyron’s boys felt the pressure recede. Behind the cold front the sea was calmer and with the first reef quickly shaken out and the help of the gennaker the boat was soon sliding along faster and more consistently. The SW wind is strengthening. They’ll have to continue tacking, and even if such man˜uvres are not tiring an ever sharper crew, they are very demanding on the gear ; another mainsail batten broke last night calling for an express repair. Needless to say, the sails are getting maximum attention. Peyron is sparing his machine : "we’ve still got a lot of weight of stores on board," explained the skipper, "it won’t be for another few days yet until after we’ve consumed more food and fuel (editorial note : necessary for powering the computers and the electronics on board) that the catamaran will be light enough for really high speeds. The name of the game for us is arriving in the Southern Ocean with all our full potential intact". Despite a completely unpredictable Atlantic this year, Orange is keeping up a good average, is making progress along the route and is still in perfect shape.
Quote / unquote
Bruno Peyron : "A Sunday in the South, it’s a rather grey, choppy sea, 3 to 4 metres of swell... a pale sun peeks out now and then from a low ceiling ? Around us, the alert flight of the petrels, and sometimes, the striking, fascinating vision of a "jumbo", the heavy and majestic silhouette of an albatross..."
Bruno Peyron (cont’d) : "We haven’t been able to express all our friendship to Olivier de Kersauson and his team. We know what it’s like returning to port and we know how disappointed they must be. We wish them a speedy return to the race. "Geronimo" starting again would be a fabulous thing for the Jules Verne Trophy. That would leave everyone aboard "Orange" wide-eyed with admiration.
Sébastien Josse : On board we’ve been feeling the South approach for several days now. The light’s changing, the colour of the sea too. The variations in air and water temperature are surprising, more or less 10 degrees in several hours... With the cold and the damp, it’s sure that our rhythm of life will soon be changing..."
Nick Moloney : "I’m delighted to be here, in the south on a "fantastic" boat. I thank Bruno for having offered me this opportunity of sharing this adventure. I’m learning a lot alongside the "Frenchies". They’re extraordinary sailors and Bruno knows how to combine discipline in work and friendliness... We’re in great shape ; the sleeping patterns are comfortable and I find the food aboard... great !"
Denis van den Brink / Mer & Media / Orange
Map : Geronimo vs Orange
Dans la même rubrique
Jules Verne Trophy : Orange on the way to the roring forties
Jules Verne Trophy : One high hides antoher
Jules Verne Trophy : Orange in low wind
Photo : JP Epron / Maxi Catamaran Orange
Jules Verne Trophy : The maxi-catamaran Orange is "on a diet"
