They're off! Safran set off from the Lizard this morning to try to improve on the record she previously set around Britain and Ireland. In a 20-25 knot south-westerly wind, Marc Guillemot's crew set sail eastwards on the starboard tack.
Safran crossed the starting line at 0650hrs GMT (0850hrs CET) on Wednesday 6th June 2012. Ahead of them, 1773 miles (theoretical miles on the direct route) which they will need to cover in less than 6 days, 9 hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds. In other words, Safran has to be back off the Lizard by 1639hrs GMT (1839hrs CET) next Tuesday (12th June).
It was a year ago that they smashed Dee Caffari's record. Marc Guillemot's crew sailed more than 2000 miles at an average speed of 13 knots. Today, they have got off to a good start: a few minutes after the start under full mainsail and big gennaker, Safran was seen to be doing 19 knots. On a bearing of 75° in heavy seas, everything was fine on board: Marc Guillemot knows that he needs to establish a good lead, as the weather pattern looks like it is going to be tricky later on to the West of Ireland. But for the moment, it's full steam ahead with Safran speeding along.
There are six on board, five men and one woman: Marc Guillemot, Pascal Bidégorry, Karine Fauconnier, César Dohy, Alexandre Marmorat and Ludovic Aglaor.
Read more: http://www.skipperondeck.gr/index.php/news/314-round-britain-and-ireland3a-and-safran-is-off.html