Grands
Records - Thankfully, We Make A Fantastic Team!
05 April 20:30
Part
two of the radio interview held today (Monday
5 April). Geronimo's skipper describes the conditions
now being faced by the Cap Gemini and Schneider
Electric crew.
Q.
What can you tell us about the headwinds you're
having to contend with?
Olivier de Kersauson: "I can tell you that
instead of one day, we're going to take two and
a half days to make very little headway, and while
that's going on, we'll be permanently beaten up,
while we make what progress we can, and we'll
end up with 3 reefs in the main, flying the storm
jib and making 9 knots through 5-7 metre waves…
I think we've been here before. We'll just have
to keep at it and I hope that we'll eventually
get through. How we manoeuvre under these conditions
is another question! We'll have to wait and see
what happens. Some of the weather maps are optimistic
and some are pessimistic. What we have to put
up with is the reality".
Q.
And the reality is headwinds with a chaotic sea,
which is just choppy for the moment, but is sure
to rise later…
Olivier de Kersauson: "The reality today
is that being anywhere is better than being on
Geronimo! And I mean anywhere!"
Q.
Is it always like that where you are? Aren't there
normally south-westerly winds to help you though?
Olivier de Kersauson: "Yes, but we don't
have a south-westerly. We only have a south-easterly.
Which is why we're heading up into the wind. On
this tack, we won't even make it to the Horn…".
Q.
Changing the subject for a moment, are you concerned
about the possibility of ice in these latitudes?
Olivier de Kersauson: "No, we're not too
worried about that. But it's really cold - just
one degree above. When you add up the speed of
the boat and the speed of the wind, which is 60
kph, one degree straight in the face with plenty
of spray makes for a pretty uncomfortable time
for the helmsman".
Q.
You must be happy to have this particular crew.
I understand that you are very proud of them.
Olivier de Kersauson: "They're great. Thankfully,
we make a fantastic team! Actually, we wouldn't
be here if we weren't a good team. But it is a
good team. Solid. They know how to give it everything
and they do. What more can I say?"
Geronimo's
latest news are on http://www.trimaran-geronimo.com
