Orange's Jules Verne Attempt Aborted

Photos by Gilles Martin-Raget

At 10:58:54 GMT today, the giant 33 metre Orange catamaran powered across the Ushant-Lizard starting line at the beginning of Bruno Peyron's attempt to break the Jules Verne round the world record. Loved ones kissed goodbye (Valentine's Day special!), last calls to family and friends, and the boat slipped her moorings just after 8 o'clock local time.

Photos by Gilles Martin-Raget

Europe based Australian Nick Moloney, top skipper from Ellen MacArthur's Offshore Challenges Sailing Team, was 'stoked' to get back out to sea after a busy couple of weeks in the French port of Brest getting ready for a gruelling two months at sea. "It's a feeling like being away from your family when you are in port.? I arrived at the dock this morning at 0630, seabag in hand, pitch black, cold and rainy....some people might prefer to stay at home! But I'm really happy to be out here, and can't wait to start ticking off the miles..." commented Nick on his way out of Brest on his way to the startling off of Ushant.

As Orange left the port of Brest, they sailed past 'GERONIMO' the even bigger three-hulled trimaran of the existing record holder, maverick Frenchman Oliver de Kersauson. Dismasted at the end of last year in sea trials, his new mast arrived this morning and was being stepped (fitted) as the sun rose. He hopes to test the new carbon fibre mast and set off next week if possible -weather window permitting [strong Northerly winds are required to give the teams the best slingshot effect down to the Tradewinds, and out of the Bay of Biscay].

Photos by Gilles Martin-Raget

At approx 1130 GMT we were informed that the tip of Orange's mast had broken 35 minutes after crossing the starting line off Ushant. Disaster struck while the boat was speeding along under gennaker, the large foresail. The mast snapped 80 cm below the top in wind conditions of 28 knots (50 kph). Fortunately, none of the 13 crew members were hurt. The crew recovered the broken section and decided to set course for Vannes and the Multiplast yard. Once there, Bruno Peyron and the yard's designers will assess the damage.

Photos by Gilles Martin-Raget

In a call to the Offshore Challenges Shore Team Nick Moloney said, "...the whole team are devastated about what has happened." Their main aim now is to repair the boat so that they can return to the start line of their round-the-world record attempt. With today's occurrence a race between GERONIMO and ORANGE may still be possible...

Follow the repairs and the restart at www.orange.fr