The 105′ French trimaran, Groupama, slipped her mooring soon after 05H00 on Saturday and headed from her berth at the V&A Waterfront bound towards France.  She was berthed at the Waterfront for a number of weeks undergoing repairs  after suffering structural damage while attempting to break the Round the World speed record.  Conditions were calm as she headed out but a last minute misjudgment with one of the support boats used to tow the engineless Groupama out to sea caused some damage to the starboard hull.  Quick reactions by the crew and the judicious use of some quick drying underwater epoxy ensured that Groupama could still continue safely on her way.

For nearly three hours we tacked back and forth in the lee of Table Mountain while the rigging was tensioned for sailing.  Once that was completed we hoisted the sails and accompanied by a pod of whales we reached out into the Atlantic.  The SW wind quickly increased and backed to the S requiring us to reef the sails.  Even under deeply reefed sails I saw a top speed of over 37 knots while I was at the helm at sunset and the speed seldom dropped below 30 knots.

Our first night at sea was dark and wet but we covered some good miles and this morning gybed onto a more northerly course near  position 30° 37′S, 7° 32′E.

For me, the only South African aboard, it is a fantastic learning experience sailing with the top ocean sailing crew in the world.  All the rest of the team are French and the concept of giant foiling multihulls is definitely a French invention and specialty so it is quite a privilege to join the team for the delivery to their home base in Lorient where they intend to start another attempt at the world speed sailing record.

Nick Leggatt (RSA) – on board Groupama