Route du Rhum update, Multi50 podium complete

A number of updates on the Route du Rhum website with Erwan Le Roux taking first in the class on FenetreA Cardinal:

http://www.routedurhum.com/en/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?actu=896

Lalou Roucayrol came in second on the Multi50 Arkema:

http://www.routedurhum.com/en/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?actu=916

Gilles Lamire on Rennes Metropole St Malo Agglomeration came in third with the Multi50 Actual of Yves Le Blevec nipping at his heels. 

http://www.routedurhum.com/en/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?actu=942

Yves Le Blevec was forced to make a technical stop in Cascais to repair his wind sensor instruments which left him playing catch up for the rest of the race:

http://www.routedurhum.com/en/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?actu=943

Route du Rhum update, Loick leads the Ultime fleet in impressive fashion

 Loick is doing well out the front of the fleet, BPVII is a more wieldy boat from a solo perspective than Spindrift 2 but if Yann can get some more stable weather he might be able to exploit the power of the boat a little better. The big story for me is how well Sebastian Josse is doing on the modified MOD70 Edmond de Rothschild he is punching well above his weight to hold onto a solid third in the Ultime class.

In the Multi50's some strategic positioning by Lalou Roucayrol on Arkema has seen him take the lead. Lalou's early strategy saw him go for a more Westerly route initially and has given him sea room and kept him out of the worst seastates that the boats went inshore had to deal with. Team Actual has to drop into Cascais for repairs to their wind instruments which will allow FenetreA Cardinal to sneak away into a more solid second place.

In the Rhum Class Route du Rhum veteran Anne Casaneuve is the leading multihull second behind the powerful canting keel monohull Vento di Sardegna.

The Route du Rhum news coverage and tracker is excellent so I will just give a summary each day and wont attempt to repost all the news here best to just visit the Route du Rhum website for full updates:

http://www.routedurhum.com


Jour 2 : rock'n roll ... by routedurhum

Team Lalou Multi50 update, Lalou on the his training program for the Route du Rhum

Another nice video from the Team Lalou Multi50 team on Lalou Roucayrol's training for the Route du Rhum (English subtitles):

Route du Rhum 2014: Video updates from Yann Guichard of Spindrift Racing and Lalou Roucayrol of Team Lalou

The Route du Rhum is set to start in 10 days and Yann Guichard who will be racing on the maxi trimaran Spindrift 2 and Lalou Roucayrol who is racing the Multi50 class trimaran Arkema have posted some video updates (with English subtitles):

Team Lalou's Multi50 trimaran returns to Verdon sur Mer after being rerigged in the Canaries

From the following press release (in French) on the Team Lalou website

 

http://laloumulti.fr/site/?p=1661

 

and the rough bing translate below:

 

After 2 months of construction after its capsize on the Transat Jacques Vabre 2013, Lalou Roucayrol trimaran is finally back at home! Party in ferry Thursday, June 19 the Canary, the Arkema trimaran - France arrived at le Verdon sur Mer yesterday, Tuesday, after 4 and a half days of navigation. Accompanied by Etienne Cara (preparer rigger and coach), Lalou conducted 1500 miles this ferry in 'fake-solo' mode to resume its marks in solitaire; a nice way to prepare the major event of the season 2014: the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe.

 

Interview with Jane on his arrival at le Verdon sur Mer:

 

How have passed these few days of sailing?

 

"It was really great. I sign for tomorrow! First, we had unexpected conditions. We did a little closely at the time of the departure, but we quickly hit a South-South-West stream that has led us to the middle of the Bay of Biscay. It was really top to navigate under gennaker under these conditions, 22-28 knots with a perfect control of the machine. Then we had to go back more North to ride an anticyclonic bubble and we arrive after 4 and a half days. More than 400 nautical miles covered in 24 hours was 2 days... I am therefore delighted to return to navigation. »

 

Are satisfied you with the changes made to the trimaran?

 

"The entire platform is validated! Whether at the level of the rudders, sails or adjustments made on the deck, all the team did a great job and even more optimized boat! My feelings are quickly returned, and it is really nice to browse on it. We still have a small list of work that awaits us. »

 

What aspects do you particularly want to work on before the Route du Rhum?

 

"The grip of the trimaran and the first navigations made duplicate, in preparation for the Transat Jacques Vabre last year. I finally bit sailed solo on Arkema - Aquitaine Region. It was the objective of this ferry 'faux-solo' where I was the only manoeuvring full. Etienne was observed. We have thus identified several areas of work for my training solo: such as sleep or patterns of manoeuvres. We will promptly establish the planning of the next few months, to be the most efficient possible on the major event of the end of the year. »

 

Arkema - Aquitaine Region and its skipper trimaran are therefore well equipped to address this phase of pre-race.

 

 

Multi50 Arkema receives replacement mast in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands

Team Lalou have just updated that they have installed the replacement mast on their Multi50 Arkema.  The last mast was lost in their capsize in the Transat Jacques Vabre.  The team hope to have the boat ready to compete in the 2014 Multi50 season and ultimately the Route du Rhum.

Team Lalou arrive in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands after jury rigging their mastless Multi50 trimaran with kite power rig designed by Yves Parlier

After a short crossing from Madeira Team Lalou's Multi50 Arkema is in Las Palmas ready to receive a new mast which is being shipped in by "Star Magic" a 25 metre maxi catamaran.

The original entry (in French) is here:

http://laloumulti.fr/site/?p=1643

and the rough bing translate is below:

Arkema - France docked at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands

 

Today, April 12, 2014, 5 hours ago | Admin

Parties on March 29 from the port of Caniçal in Madeira, Lalou Roucayrol and his trimaran Arkema - Region Aquitaine arrived at Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Equipped with wings of kite surfs, it took 4 days at sea the trimaran towed to traverse the 300 nautical miles between the two islands. This innovative solution, initiated by Yves Parlier, allows the skipper to keep his schedule: discount site - in condition and preparation of Multi50 Arkema France is launched!

Interview with Lalou Roucayrol:

Back on the ferry between Madeira and Las Palmas

 

"On Saturday morning, conditions were conducive to a start, with a wind of North, Northwest-facing. It took a few hours to install the global device and have implemented a small mast with a veil of cap to well to balance the boat. The boat sailed and towed by 3 wings for 3 days and a half, to an average of about 4 knots. The wind toppled then Southwest and it drifted East. So we decided to stop at (Fuerte Ventura) on Tuesday, April 2 in the evening. To arrive on the island, we found himself downwind with the waves in the right direction, and have some tips at 10 knots! On Thursday morning, is left to arrive at Las Palmas Saturday.

 

We are happy to be arriving, but especially in this way. Arkema-Region Aquitaine continues to have its vocation of boat Tester and the project continues in the innovation dynamic. Not to mention that this delivery was the way to bring the boat quickly and inexpensively in the Canary Islands, but it also allows Yves Parlier and Beyond the Sea to advance in their project. I would like to thank the Royal Nautic Club de Las Palmas for its quality of home and its availability. »

The beginning of the construction of Arkema - Region Aquitaine

 

"The day after our arrival, the grinders were already output. In addition to repairs post capsize, we are conducting a comprehensive review of all the parts and the boat, then will have all the rigging to back up. For the new version of the trimaran, we have much innovated on the boom, which will be a real prototype. Together with Arkema and the skills of the canoeing aquitaine research platform, we use a new resin for its manufacture. We ship so the boom n ° 1, which we consider to be somewhat cumbersome to do some tests of resistance for the manufacture of the boom for the Route du Rhum. »

A new ferry

 

"The fact is that this rig is in France, and now need to forward it to the Canary Islands. We decided to take the means of transport that I prefer: the sea. I boarded so today, the star magic (maxi 25 metre catamaran) to bring the mast, boom and sail! This is the solution the cheapest, fastest and most environmentally friendly. Romaric Neyhousser, the architect of Arkema - Region Aquitaine, will be by my side during the crossing. We expect approximately 5 days at sea, and will have time to discuss the changes. For now, is the time that it was set! »

 

Team Lalou preparing to transport their mastless Multi50 trimaran with the help of a kite from Madeira to the Canary Islands

From the following article (in French) on the Team Lalou website:

 

http://laloumulti.fr/site/?p=1637

 

And the rough bing translate:

 

Towards the Canary Islands for Lalou Roucayrol and Arkema - Region Aquitaine

 

Yesterday, March 29, 2014, 12:38:43 AM | Admin

 

The trimaran Arkema - Region Aquitaine, moored in the port of Caniçal in Madeira since November 2013 after his capsize, will finally resume the sea! In accordance with the planned schedule, Lalou Roucayrol has thus planned to convey the boat to the Canary Islands, remote 300 miles, where it will make the reclamation site. With his usual touch of creativity and innovation, the Aquitain skipper will equip his trimaran currently deprived of mat, a wing of kite to reach the Spanish archipelago. Accompanied by Yves Parlier and 3 other crew, Lalou hopes to reach the Canary Islands in 3 days.

The skipper back in detail on the implementation of this project:

"Since my return to France late November last, I don't think to put my boat in a State but Madeira is not the easiest Island to access, or better served. In fact, I immediately thought about the quickest and least expensive way to bring the boat to a port where the construction of reclamation would be possible.

For the conveying of the boat, it does not start into the unknown, we did tests with Marc Thiercelin on DCNS some years ago, towed by a wing of kite. This idea has quickly imposed as being the least expensive and easiest way to achieve. The proximity of the Canary Islands with Madeira and its regular ferry connections make it a perfect destination. Jorge Cantero, the Royal Nautic club of Las Palmas, offers us a place port and access to all its facilities. His help has also been valuable for logistics and the delivery of equipment on area.

We leave tomorrow, Saturday, with this wing of kiting (monofilament) but also with 2 other implemented prototype systems in place by Yves Parlier. We ship still 100 litres of diesel, in the case where, but the wind should be well oriented to the East to reach the Canary Islands in 3 days at about 4 knots of average. We refine it with my router Eric Mas de Météo Consult.

Taking into account logistical constraints, we will thus make the entire site reclamation there. Two members of the technical team arrive with the vehicle and completeness of the material around April 4, then I will bring the mat of Lorient, by the sea, around mid-April. The trimaran should be ready to sail for early May. I enchainerai then of navigations over area for a few weeks, taking advantage of beautiful weather to navigate. I'll finally Cape to France at the end of the month of may, in solitary mode, as a first real training before the Route du Rhum, which is the key objective of the season 2014".

 

The crew of Arkema - Region Aquitaine on the ferry:

 

Lalou Roucayrol - Yves Parlier - Etienne Carat - Arnaud Crete - Maxence Peyras

Team Lalou update, Their plans for 2014 after the capsize and recovery of the Multi50 trimaran in the Transat Jacques Vabre

From the following press release (in French) by Team Lalou

http://www.routedurhum.com/fr/s03_actualites/s03p02_detail_actualite.php?actu=76

the rough bing translate is below:

News from Lalou Roucayrol and his trimaran Arkema - Region Aquitaine

It's been more than 10 weeks that the trimaran injured Lalou Roucayrol arrived in the port of Caniçal in Madeira, after its capsize on the Transat Jacques Vabre November 10, 2013. Still moored in the port, still injured, the trimaran waits for the end of discussions with insurers to be rehabilitated. So far, the team of Lalou Multi, the skipper and his loyal partners mobilized to achieve the objective n ° 1 of the 2014 season: be at the start of the Route du Rhum which will start from St Malo November 2 next with a competitive boat and to play the leading roles.

How are you since your return to Madeira?

I am fine. The capsize is behind me we are now in the phase of reconstruction. Following the capsize, the team and myself have made a real round of introspection and set up a new line of conduct. It is thus a new Lalou that begins this year 2014! I'm already clearly mode preparation of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe: I'm very careful with my diet, my sleep and I do a lot of sport. Every day, I have a complete program and I alternate between the race walk, cardio exercises, bodybuilding and navigations. I navigate with everything that floats at the tip of the Verdon! It passes the catamaran, to the mini 6.50 with Quentin Vlamynck, or even sea kayaking. I'm in a positive frame of mind and I look to the future.

What is the news on the boat?

The situation of the trimaran, still moored in Caniçal, is complex. After several months of research active in an attempt to repatriate him, we are now in discussion with the insurer in an attempt to rehabilitate it on-site. However to carry equipment up to Madeira, including the new mast, is almost impossible. We are therefore studying the possibility of organizing the construction in the Canary Islands. The decision will be taken in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we have already launched the construction of different parts broken when capsized: two bar - more design positions - two new rudders, which will be better adapted to the boat, and the mast. We also ordered a new set of sails, but above all we are working actively on the new boom. In collaboration with Arkema, a new resin developed for its construction. This allows us to continue to work on the development and improvement of the boat, in relying on the skills of our partners in Aquitaine and Arkema researchers.

Your partners so loyal to your project?

Oh yes! I would like to thank each of them, particularly the Region Aquitaine and Arkema. Their behaviour following the capsize was exemplary. I have received countless messages of support, and they mobilized in order to continue this adventure together. None of them has called into question its commitment. I also attended vows organized at headquarters of Arkema and in one of the Group's subsidiaries. I have always received a warm and enthusiastic welcome. All this allows to consider the future and us out of the present constraints. All the partners realized that we needed time to rebuild the ship, because particular complexity, so we adapted the 2014 sports program to these constraints.

What is the projected schedule for 2014?

As priority we intend therefore to do the reclamation site in the Canary Islands during the month of April to have a boat ready to sail at the beginning of the month of May. I would like to make the first navigations there, before transporting the boat towards the France. Then, I shall focus me on solo drives before you participate in the trophies of the Prince and the port de Fécamp planned through the end of August. It is important for the Multi50 class and to get back in competition against my fellow mode. Finally comes the main objective of the season and the whole project: the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe.

Multi50 update, Lalou Roucayrol taking "Arkema" out on her first sail

A short video at the following link of the new Region Aquitaine/Arkema Multi50 trimaran out for her first test sail with Lalou giving his early approval of the new craft.

From an article on Aquitaine.france3.fr

http://aquitaine.france3.fr/2013/04/23/lalou-roucayrol-et-la-joie-de-tester-son-nouveau-bateau-239735.html

Here is the rough bing translate:

A month after her lauching, the trimaran of Lalou Roucayrol comes to his first outing at sea off the coast of the Verdon. The MEDOC browser will attend his first race in the departure of Douarnenez, may 3, accompanied by including Marc Thiercelin may 3.

Lalou Roucayrol's new Multi 50 trimaran progressing

The new trimaran of Lalou Roucayrol built to the Multi 50 rule is progressing here are some photos of the boat as it stands.  Plenty of work to go but starting to take shape, Lalou has mentioned that some very innovative floats are being designed and built for this new trimaran.

http://www.laloumulti.com