A CALM FIRST 24 HOURS ON BOARD MAXI-CAT ORANGE !

The first 24 hours on board the giant catamaran Orange have gone by and fairly calm conditions have been reported by the crew on board. Shortly after getting underway yesterday morning, she was sailing upwind in a WNW wind at 15-18 knots, in a current of less than 4 knots, resulting in an average speed over ground of 14-15 knots. Last night was calmer still, which affected the average speed this morning.

"We weren't expecting to sail any faster right now as the first part of the course is the slowest, " explained Bruno Peyron during the radio chat session early this morning.
"We ought to start picking up speed and get back into the record timing within a couple of hours as the boat should sail at 20-25 knots on the way past Ireland up to Scotland. We passed the Scilly Isles at 5 o'clock this morning. A south-westerly 20-25 knot wind should be kicking in fairly shortly. We've taken a reef in the main and are currently steering a direct course. We'll no doubt be running into a couple of calm zones tonight, but should be able to pick up a south-westerly wind after Ireland, which is something to look forward to."

By lunchtime today, Bruno's predictions came true as the wind had filled in and they were back up to an average speed of 22 knots.
"There is nothing to envy on this record compared to the main ocean crossings and southern ocean sailing," the skipper of Orange pointed out.
"It is a difficult course with a 360° geography making it impossible to have favourable winds all the time. There's a great atmosphere on board and Orange is acting as a lucky charm — we're all really happy to be sailing together. One watch follows another perfectly naturally: 4 guys on deck, 4 on stand-by and 4 off-watch, par for the course on a circumnavigation."

His co-skipper Neal McDonaldadded, "It is great to be back on board a boat so soon after the Volvo Ocean race. Sailing on Orange is a lot more pleasant than being on a V60. As a boat it is a lot more logical. Cruising is how I would describe sailing along at 19 knots on Orange, whilst aboard a V60 it would be much harder work, pushing the loads around and working the boat to its limit."

Orange must complete the circumnavigation of Britain and cross the start/finish line off Ventnor on the Isle of Wight before four minutes past six and forty six seconds local time on Sunday 18th August.

To listen or download hight definition pictures:
Http://www.greendesign5.co.uk/clients/orange/ftp/avoidingship.jpg
http://www.greendesign5.co.uk/clients/orange/ftp/brunoship.jpg
http://www.greendesign5.co.uk/clients/orange/ftp/BP_RN_hatch.jpg
http://www.greendesign5.co.uk/clients/orange/ftp/lisasunset.jpg
http://www.greendesign5.co.uk/clients/orange/ftp/lookingforward.jpg

To listen or download the audio vacation of the day :
http://www.greendesign5.co.uk/clients/orange/ftp/orange_uk_1308a.mp3

Press Office Maxi-Catamaran Orange : Mer & Média
Bénédicte Etienne : Mob : +33/(0)6 07 08 24 57 - be.mer.media@wanadoo.fr
Copyright free Images TV:
APP / Richard Simmonds : +44 (0) 776 886 6371 - rsimmonds@appbroadcast.com
2P2L / Gérard Supau : +33/(0)6 07 42 57 92 - gsupau@wanadoo.fr