They're off: the maxi trimaran crossed the start line just off the Créac'h lighthouse in a fine NW'ly breeze of around fifteen knots with one reef in the main and staysail. Groupama 3 is already powering along at over 25 knots bound for Cape Finisterre, which it is likely to reach by the end of today. The weather forecast is indicative of a fine descent for this first day at sea since the breeze should rapidly clock round to the North as it fills to twenty knots, where it will then reach over thirty knots as it shifts round to the East. The first 24 hours should therefore enable Franck Cammas and his nine crew to get as far as Lisbon by tomorrow morning, Friday. -http://www.cammas-groupama.com
