Heroes welcome

Bruno Peyron and the crew of Orange II give their impressions from their new records breaking passage

After a final run down the coast of Brittany, with the Atlantic record and the 24-hour record in their pockets Bruno Peyron and his eleven crew on Orange II were welcomed in a family-like atmosphere in the harbour in La Baule-Le Pouliguen, the Peyron family's homeport

This afternoon at around 14h30, once they had moored in the middle of the bay Bruno Peyron and his crew gave their first impressions:

Yann Guichard (helmsman). "I’m really pleased. A childhood dream has come true. It was already a dream to be invited to take part… but beating this record, covering 766 miles in one day is magic. The boat? She is so powerful you have to look at the dials to see what speed you are doing. At the helm it’s like a big Tornado and I got used to it fairly quickly. I’m lucky enough to be at the helm 250 days a year, so I wasn’t too worried. It’s really great to be able to go so quickly while remaining safe like that. After the damage to the leeward rudder, the steering was off to the side and it was no easy matter…we were forced to ease off, otherwise we would have finished in under four days."

Trimmer Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant added : "This crossing was a great pleasure, an experience that was both interesting and enriching. On the first day we went way beyond what we had hoped. It was brilliant. Unfortunately, when we started to have confidence in the boat, the rudder problem happened. The damage was frustrating, as Orange 2 is without doubt an excellent boat. We pushed her a lot, more even than during the circumnavigation last year in my opinion. We were angrier, more determined, we had to be as in a four day sprint you have to give your all."

Pascal Bidégorry (helmsman, watch leader) said: "This boat is a steam roller that you just can’t stop. The most impressive thing is not her peak speed, but her power and consistency: she always sails fast, all the time. She’s very lively and gives an impression of safety. You tell yourself you can sail around the world without any worries in her. It is especially that aspect that has given me a few ideas for mine. The building work is due to start in January with a launch planned for 2008. The record? As usual, it hasn’t sunk in yet!"

Ronan Le Goff, bowman commented::"766.8 miles in 24 hours is great, excellent. It could be bettered though, yet we really slogged it out for the four days on board. Keeping up averages above 30 knots is no easy matter and physically exhausting. In all during this crossing, we reefed ten times and carried out 13 sail changes, so a lot of work and not much sleep. It’s likely to be felt tomorrow. But it was really brilliant!"

Bernard Stamm, helmsman and in charge of mechanics: "The boat is fabulous. You can see the figures on the dials… 36, 37, 39 knots and all smoothly and without stress. At times like those, when you drop down to 33 knots… you know you have screwed up!"

Roger Nilson, navigator: "I believe the work was well done… It’s true that for this record you need a bit of luck. But it’s great to have a well-prepared boat, a highly skilled crew and a good opening in the weather. They are three elements that it is not easy to bring together. This time, it all came together and that is really pleasing. The final stretch could have been better, and I am optimistic about the 24-hour record: that day we carried out 8 manoeuvres, so that leaves room for improvement… "

Ludovic Aglaor (helmsman, in charge of the crew): It was really nice. There was enormous potential with the window in the weather. We remained concentrated. We managed to sail with two tonnes less than for the Jules Verne and that did help. We got our own back after the attempt two years ago, when we missed out by a wretched 31 minutes. I’m very pleased.

Jean-Baptiste Epron (trimmer, in charge of logistics) : "I followed records like that when I was little. In this type of boat there’s the record and the ideal distance. The Jules Verne Trophy is huge, but this one, the Atlantic crossing is legendary. It has a history. What is more I think we could do even better."

Jacques Caraës (trimmer, cameraman): "We enjoyed sailing quickly in the right places. That’s why we like sailing. The average speeds represent a lot of stress it, but we had it under control… We were lucky to have a good crew, a well-prepared boat and an opportunity with the weather. The perfect cocktail to succeed. In comparison with the rivals, it’s going to be interesting to see how big Groupama type trimarans will behave. They may well be less comfortable, but could be faster and easier to manoeuvre."

Bruno Peyron (the boss) : "It takes four ingredients to succeed in this type of performance: the tool, the men, the weather and a bit of luck. Thanks to the designers and the boatyard, we have the world’s current fastest boat. The men showed they were capable of taming the beast. The weather was OK… and as for our luck…It wasn’t always with us what with the damage to the rudder, but we were lucky enough for it not to stop us."