Thomas Coville has set a new record for the Marseille - Carthage route (The previous multihull record was for a crewed crossing set by Pascal Bidegorry on BPV.
here is the rough google translation.
Photo Gilles Martin-Raget/Sodebo
Crossing at 16h 25 '12 "(French time) the line to the lighthouse of Carthage in Tunisia, after crossing 1d 1h 36mn 36 sec navigation, the skipper of Sodebo just set the first time the reference Mediterranean and multihull solo from Marseille.
Already a record holder in this category over the North Atlantic (New York Lizard), Thomas Coville his name in the crossing of the Mediterranean with an average speed of 17.62 knots (33 km / h) on the road directly. The actual distance is 538 miles, which corresponds to an average speed of 20.98 knots (39 km / h). Establish a reference time requires a boat built for this kind of performance, it is the case of the trimaran Sodebo. It should also be bold and Thomas does not lack. As explained before his departure, "what kind of exercise is rarely attempted because quite dangerous. " And then you have the patience to wait for the window able to take the boat and its skipper as soon as possible on the other side. This time, the stand-by team Sodebo was exceptionally short because Thomas lunged after only four days of waiting. By analyzing the grib files earlier this week, the skipper decided to leave on Wednesday to slip just before this shot mistral that accompanied the trimaran into the Bay of Tunis. Sailor expressed his pleasure at having taken this opportunity that represents for him a drive size and so committed to reconnect with the multihull and lonely after a victorious year monohull crew with Franck Cammas (Groupama 4) on the Volvo Ocean Race. skipper's reaction a few minutes after have cut the finish line in Tunisia: '' The Mediterranean is always more difficult than you would expect. Routings theoretical gave 20 to 22 hours. I crossed in 25 hours, which seems simple, but this route is full of traps. Among the major difficulties, avoid capsizing and that night there were all the ingredients to hit the water in the middle Mediterranean. Sea is very choppy as the wind. It may surprise and topple the boat forward. I had a little room but it was still very hot twice. Besides my rudder problem that made me slow (see previous news) , I think to save time, you must fully negotiate the release Marseille aiming as we did a top starting too early or too late, to keep a sea handy. Then, we must manage the transition in Sardinia where I was taken in several squalls that do not see the routing. And finally, I also took in a good grain arriving at Carthage. My next goal will not improve the lap time but we attack this fall with Sodebo the transatlantic between Cadiz (Spain) and San Salvador (Bahamas ) on the Discovery Route of Columbus. Here, I'll take a nap. We will turn around with my two teammates who joined me and go to Marseille. It looks a little jump-sheep on the waves, because it's like skiing, once down, he must go! We arrive on Saturday or Sunday I think. " Records current sailing on the route Marseille-Carthage:
> In multihull solo (in attentent validation WSSRC) Sodebo (Thomas Coville) September 13, 2012 in 1d 1h 36 '36 ''
> In multihull crew: Banque Populaire V (Pascal Bidégorry) in May 2010: 14h 20 '34''
> In single-handed monohull: Groupe Bel (Kito de Pavant) in June 2009: 1d 21h 20 '29''
