Sodebo no go

Thomas Coville's maxi-tri will remain in New York as his fully crewed comrades battle the North Atlantic

A beautiful depression that is forecast to cross the North Atlantic from one side to the other with constant winds of 25-30 knots... Thomas Coville, who's maxi-trimaran Sodebo is one of three of the world's largest racing multihulls that have been hanging out opposite Manhattan for the last weeks, yesterday was contemplating a departure at a similar time (tonight) as the Banque Populaire and Groupama 3 maxi-trimaran crews, but has opted not to set sail on his singlehanded record attempt between New York and the Lizard.

Yesterday evening, the weather forecast confirmed strong winds and a heavy sea to the south of Newfoundland, conditions not favourable to make good speed and not suitable to allow Sodebo to improve her own record for the solo crossing of the North Atlantic, that presently stands at 5 days 19 hours, 25 minutes and 20 seconds.

“This decision was not easy to take,” admitted Coville who, like the crews on Groupama 3 and Banque Populaire, is rearing to go. “Not to leave should prove to be the most reasonable choice and most realistic vis-a-vis this weather situation, which is too far away from our requirements to better this singlehanded record."

“If this weather window is better for my comrades fully crewed, who can make an average speed of around 30 knots consistently over four days, it isn't for me where I aim, singlehanded, to average 22-23 knots over five days,” continues Coville.“This depression is just too fast and the winds too strong. It would pass ahead of me and the record would just fly away. ”

Sodebo is due to remain on stand by in New York until 14 August.