Yvan Zedda
Saturday 20 March, 2010 22:30 GMT
Franck Cammas and his crew aboard the maxi trimaran Groupama 3 have claimed the Jules Verne Trophy for sailing non-stop round the world - and broken through the 50-day barrier in the process.
Groupama 3's circumnavigation took 48 days 7 hours, 44 minutes and 52 seconds to beat the previous mark, set by Bruno Peyron's Orange 2 in 2005, by 2 days 8 hours, 35 minutes and 12 seconds.
Cammas and his men crossed the finish line at Ushant at 21:40:45 GMT on Saturday evening. They averaged 18.76 knots for the journey. The new record is subject to ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.
Groupama 3 set sail from Ushant on 31 January and experienced trying conditions for most of the journey. She sailed 28,523 miles in all, compared to the optimum route of 24,375 miles, in search of favourable weather and sea state. This pushed her average up to 24.6 knots.
On her way to the South Atlantic she was slowed considerably by headwinds and fell off Orange 2's pace. However, she was able to overturn a 500-mile deficit with a stunning final surge from the equator. At that stage the crew were over one day behind the reference time but made their North Atlantic passage in six days to claim victory.
Sailing with skipper Cammas was American navigator Stan Honey, watch leaders Fred Le Peutrec and Steve Ravussin, helmsmen/trimmers Loic Le Mignon, Thomas Coville and Lionel Lemonchois, and the three other crewman Bruno Jeanjean, Ronan Le Goff and Jacques Caraes.
Groupama 3 will remain offshore tonight and maker her triumphant entry into the team's home port of Brest tomorrow morning.
Cammas will lead a Groupama entry in the next two editions of the Volvo Ocean Race.