Please select your home edition
Edition
GJW Direct 2024 Dinghy

New Caledonia Groupama Race - Start

by Groupama Race 26 Sep 2016 21:09 BST 25 September 2016
New Caledonia Groupama Race © Groupama Race

19 sailing yachts (32-100 feet) took the departure at 10am on Sunday 25 September from Baie des Citrons, in Noumea. More than 100 boats, stand up paddles, catamarans and a thousand of people attended the departure, under an unusually west wind around 10 to 12 knots.

For the first time in Noumea, maxi yachts from Hong-Kong, Australia and New-Zealand took the departure in the biggest lagoon in the world. and faced off motivated and concentrated New Caledonian crew.

Due to west wind, the departure had to be downwind. Scallywag, (100 feet yacht, second in real-time from the last Sydney Hobbart) and Vodafone (Michel Desjoyeaux's former trimaran Géant) got a really good start at more than 15 knots from the starting line. The trimaran quickly leads the fleet in front of Scallywag, Beau Geste and Ichi Ban, sailing fast with 29 knots peak in the Canal Woodin.

Concerning New Caledonian crew, Birdies Furax II catamaran was the first to pass the buoys, followed by Keel Bill-Leblanc Illuminations and Jessica Rabbit trimaran (an Orma 40 drawn by Martin Fisher). Behind, Kétal, Gummo Phytocal, Diogène, Odyssey end up the race in real-time.

What about the longest leeward/windward race?

During this period, New Caledonia is usually under tradewinds but it is not ! Wind is west or south-west, moderate even light... "It is unusual" said Météo France weather forecast.

The first night is going to be pretty hard!

Standings at 8:30pm:

Real-time
1. TEAM VODAFONE SAILING
2. SCALLYWAG
3. BEAU GESTE
4. ICHI BAN
5. RAN TAN II
6. JESSICA RABBIT
7. EYE CANDY
8. KEEL BILL - LE LEBLANC ILLUMINATIONS
9. MOEMETI
10. KETAL
11. SPEED MARINE - MSC
12. DIOGENE
13. BIRDIES FURAX 2
14. NOTORIOUS
15. GUMMO - PHYTOCAL
16. BOULÈGUE - PAO PRODUCTION
17. BANQUE DE NOUVELLE-CALÉDONIE
18. XLR8 - PROVINCE SUD
19. ODYSSEY

ORC
1. KETAL - 630.2
2. GUMMO - PHYTOCAL - 647.6
3. ODYSSEY - 636.1
4. BOULÈGUE - PAO PRODUCTION - 617.5
5. EYE CANDY - 573.4
6. SPEED MARINE - MSC - 576.7
7. BANQUE DE NOUVELLE-CALÉDONIE - 591.7
8. NOTORIOUS - 562.1
9. XLR8 - PROVINCE SUD - 565.3
10. KEEL BILL - LEBLANC ILLUMINATIONS - 524.7
11. DIOGENE - 544.5

Multihull
1. MOEMETI - 0.801
2. JESSICA RABBIT - 1.000
3. BIRDIES FURAX 2 - 0.913
4. TEAM VODAFONE SAILING - 1.504

www.groupamarace.nc

Related Articles

Six days to go to Virtual Groupama Race
Thousands will be on the start line without a sailing jacket or bag in sight Tame the tradewinds and overcome the pitfalls of a tough offshore race around the largest UNESCO recognised lagoon in the world as planned - almost. Posted on 15 Jun 2020 Entries for Groupama feeder races climbing
Four races from around New Caledonia Four feeder races delivering yacht fleets from three Australian capital cities and Auckland, New Zealand, will be a key component when it comes to the ultimate Groupama Race around New Caledonia starting line-up. Posted on 5 Nov 2017 Groupama Race 2018
The world's longest windward/leeward race Though considered a race in paradise, like previous editions the sixth biennial Groupama Race around the island of Noumea will prove tactically difficult for all crews who accept the challenge. Posted on 9 Sep 2017 New chapter in 2018
For the New Caledonia Groupama Race Four feeder races making up Sail Noumea 2018 and a change of date for the start of the 654 nautical mile Groupama Race around the island of New Caledonia mark an exciting new chapter for the beautiful French Pacific Island sailing event. Posted on 24 Jun 2017 New monohull record
In the New Caledonia Groupama Race Scallywag, the longest monohull, is also the fastest boat to sail around New-Caledonia. She takes only 2 days, 13 hours, 19 min and 55s. Thus, she has established a new record for monohulls. Posted on 28 Sep 2016 2 days 33 minutes 12 seconds
Around the biggest lagoon in the world Vodafone has arrived in Nouméa after 2 days of racing. She is the fastest boat to finish the New Caledonia longest windward / leeward race. Posted on 27 Sep 2016 Safety is top priority for the Groupama Race
Lifejackets and PLBs are to be worn for the whole race 170 sailors will be on the starting line on the 25th September for a 654 nautical mile race around New Caledonia. Running (with the wind behind) in sometimes breath-taking seas, or beating to windward against the swell. Posted on 31 Aug 2016 12 entries for Groupama Race already
The world's longest Olympic course starts in September With one month left for expressions of interest, 12 yachts have announced their intention to take part in a race over the World's longest Olympic course. Small or big, mono- or multi-hull, all will be on the start-line. Posted on 5 Apr 2016 Everyone will have a chance
5th Groupama Race opens crew exchange With less than nine months to go, the first expression of interest are in. Courrier Léon renamed Léon-Banque de Nouvelle-Calédonie, second overall in the last Sydney-Hobart has entered. Posted on 14 Feb 2016 New Caledonia Groupama Race
Set to start on 19 October 2014 The 4th Sailing Tour of New Caledonia will start on 19th October 2014. Weather forecasting stragegy and the physical fitness of the crews will play an important role in securing victory. Take part in the longest windward-leeward race in the world! Posted on 18 Jan 2014
Copyright 2024 YY Online Services Ltd. registered in England no. 7895890
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy