Route du Rhum 2014

Loick Peyron has launched his Walter Greene trimaran and headed out for his first sail:

https://www.facebook.com/loickpeyron

and a translated press release by BYM news:

http://bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=134372

 

A new video of Thomas Coville and Olivier de Kersaurson sailing on the Sodebo Ultime.

http://dai.ly/x1zwhmg

and the most recent press release from the team:

http://www.sodebo.fr/voile/actualites/article/invite-heureux

 

A short aerial video of the new Sodebo Ultime has been uploaded by the Sodebo team.

http://dai.ly/x20r2rz

 

Thanks-great to see her going so well!

 

New video "webisode" on Voiles et Voiliers that gives a more detailed look at the modified former MOD70 Gitana XV. All in French but you get the gist .

http://www.voilesetvoiliers.com/cou...bzine-gitana-episode-3/#.U7j_RKapyAk.facebook

 

The Prince de Bretagne team have relaunched the Maxi 80 trimaran:

A good series of photos from sealaunay are included in a Lorima FB status update:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=820443751323182&id=160592717308292

 

A video of the relaunch of the Prince de Bretagne Maxi 80 trimaran and installation of the new mast.

http://youtu.be/yq_2wBvjg70

 

A nice article on Loick Peyron's Route du Rhum project:

http://pontoon.es/2014/07/25/route-du-rhum-el-romanticismo-de-loick-peyron-y-su-trimaran-happy/

 

Armel le Cleach has given up on the solo North Atlantic record for this season. A suitable weather window did not eventuate so he will be returning the boat to Lorient to prepare for the Route du Rhum.

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr...pulaire-VII-rentre-en-France-10119.html#suite

 

Good news on the Multi70/MOD70 front with Yann Elies stepping up to take the helm of the Virbac Paprec MOD70 in the Route du Rhum:

http://www.voilesetvoiliers.com/pop...-yann-elies-en-multi70-avec-paprec-recyclage/

 

Armel le Cleac'h and observer Gildas Morvan have arrived back in Lorient on Banque Populaire VII after returning across the Atlantic. In the duration of the trip Armel took the opportunity to brush up on his skills at soloing the beast. The focus now is on giving the boat a scrub and rebuilding and checking all systems in readiness for the Route du Rhum.

http://www.voile.banquepopulaire.fr...ulaire-VII-arrive-a-bon-port-10127.html#suite

 

Final haul outs for many of the Ultime multihull teams are underway. Banque Populaire is hauled out at Lorient and being checked and prepared for the Route du Rhum. Sodebo Ultime is hauled out at Multiplast next to Francis Joyon's IDEC and Spindrift Racing have just called off their standby period for the North Atlantic record and are returning to carry out their final preparations on the trimaran for Yann Guichard's solo attempt in the Route du Rhum.

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/201...d-to-return-in-preparation-for-route-de-rhum/

 

Spindrift 2 has hit a container on their approach to the Azores, damage seems to be limited to the starboard float rudder which is sheared off. They are heading to Horta at a reduced speed to effect repairs.

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/201...series-40-metres-solo-special-episode-part-1/

 

Armel le Cleac'h has injured his hand and will be unable to compete in the upcoming Route du Rhum. The team is seeking a replacement to sail maxi Banque Populaire VII.

their latest entry:

He dreamed, but unfortunately he will have to give it up... Armel Le Cléac ' h will not take the start of the Route du Rhum 2014; due to a serious injury to his right hand he must forfeit

 

The latest video update on Spindrift Racing sees the float rudder being replaced in Horta with only minor damage to the float having been discovered.

http://youtu.be/9ADTqdn7Bpc