The new monster is christened

Images from Saturday's christening of Franck Cammas' new miax-trimaran Groupama III

With good wind and blazing sun, Franck Cammas' new 105ft long maxi-trimaran Groupama III was christened in Lorient on Saturday.

The ceremony was carried out by Nelson Montfort and watched by spectator made up of guests and staffs of the Groupama insurance company but also by a large crowd of general public who had resisted the call of the beach in spite of summery conditions.

At 12h15 precisely, the champagne bottle was released by Isabelle Giordano, the godmother, and Antoine Dénériaz, the godfather, and broke cleanly on the stem of the Groupama 3's central hull - a good luck omen putting a smile on the faces of Franck Cammas and his crew who will embarque on an intense record program in their new boat after the Route du Rhum is done and dusted this year.

Saturday's ceremony was held close to the centre of Lorient where Groupama have a base in the giant concrete submarine silos. Proceedings started at 11h30, with a presentation of the boat, its design and build and the team on a giant screen plus a guided tour of the interior by her skipper, her launch and first sailing .

“The christening represents transition of a project from design and construction, to 'the true' life of the boat: its life on water," Cammas announced at the ceremony, who proceeded to thank all the people who were involved in the creation of Groupama 3.

Stephan Guilbaud, team manager of Groupamacould not suppress his joy: “Today, having seen the boat sailing, I am very proud. Proud of this team, of what together we knew we could achieve! At this christening, we find former team-members, presidents of Groupama present at our side since the beginning of this adventure. Now the maritime history of Groupama 3 begins… it is now that we will find out if it all works well! ”

To read more about Groupama III - click here

More photos including sailing shots on the following pages....