The passage of the equator is the first intermediary time, which enables a direct insight into how capable a candidate is of winning the Jules Verne Trophy. Nearly a day ahead over the round the world reference course, Groupama 3 has gained a 408 mile lead and has just achieved the best ever time by a yacht between Ushant and the equator: 6 days 6 hours 24 minutes.
Already sailing in the Southern hemisphere this Wednesday afternoon, Groupama 3 confirms what it had already demonstrated last summer when it racked up four Atlantic records: though it has no inhibitions in wind in excess of 25 knots, in relation to Bruno Peyron's catamaran, it is unquestionably the fastest giant multihull below fifteen knots of breeze. Today's new record time speaks volumes as the boat passed the equator today in six days 6 hours and 24 minutes, whilst the weather conditions weren't particularly favourable, a sure indication of the trimaran's great potential.
Back on the pace again at over twenty knots at the start of the afternoon, Franck Cammas and his nine crew will begin to increase their lead over Orange II again since the latter was still sailing through the Doldrums three years ago to the day. The tradewinds of the Southern hemisphere are shaping up nicely: with 15 knots of SE'ly at the equator, they will rapidly pass into a building E'ly. Their acceleration to over 25 knots is therefore already in view before the day is out and this is set to last until the weekend at least.
