Thursday, September 4, 2008

Sheer Driving Pleasure


French sailors aboard BMW Oracle's Trimaran

Based in Anacortes on the west coast of the United States since 21st August 2008, the skipper of the Groupama Trimarans and his team are full of praise aboard the 90 foot trimaran BMW Oracle designed by the French architects VPLP. After the initial sail trials, Franck Cammas gives us his take on events.

"This trimaran is the only one of its kind. She is fairly extreme and has enormous potential. We're gradually taming her". Designated as helmsman by Russell Coutts, the triple winner of the America's Cup, during these initial outings, the skipper of Groupama has been collaborating with the American Team as a coach and consultant for over a year.

On the water, the power emitted by this trimaran which is over one and a half times the size of Groupama 2 is impressive. As wide as it is long at 27.5 metres, equipped with a mast which culminates at 50 metres high, a 500 m2 mainsail and a 700 m2 gennaker, she is designed to sail close to the shore in mild conditions.On deck, the twenty or so crew are kitted out with helmets.

At the helm, Franck Cammas is discovering "a very pleasant boat which slips along nicely. During our first beat the crew were very tense". As the hours went by though, in a very light breeze, the cosmopolitan crew familarised themselves with the monster: "There are three French sailors aboard including Bruno Laurent who, as is the case aboard Groupama 2, is the boat captain, and also Thierry Fouchier, the headsail trimmer, who has been sailing in our team since 1998". Read More...