Groupama 3 takes on the World
24 January 2008
Franck Cammas and Groupama 3 chase Jules Verne Trophy in round the World record attempt
World record breaking 105 foot trimaran Groupama 3, skippered by ORMA World champion Franck Cammas, has today left its home port in Lorient, France on the round the World challenge for the historic Jules Verne Trophy. Franck and the Groupama team have already broken 4 consecutive World records in 2007 and are now looking to add a fifth.
Sponsored by leading European insurance and financial services group, Groupama since 1997, Franck Cammas and the Groupama 3 team is attempting to better the current crewed World record of 50 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes and 4 seconds held by Bruno Peyron. Having smashed 4 records this year already, including the Discovery Route, Miami – New York and the North Atlantic Crossing which they covered in just 4 days 03 hours 57 minutes 54 seconds, the team is confident they will be victorious and are ready for their latest challenge.
Commenting today François-Xavier Boisseau, CEO at Groupama's UK subsidiary, Groupama Insurances said: “Franck and the team on Groupama 3 had a fantastic year in 2007 and they already have 4 World records under their belts. To win the Jules Verne Trophy would really be the icing on the cake. Groupama has supported Franck and the team for over 10 years and have built this success together. We wish Franck and the team “Bon Vent” (fair winds) for this latest challenge.”
The starting point of the race is defined by the imaginary line joining the Créac'h lighthouse on Ouessant island and the Lizard Lighthouse. Groupama 3 must circumnavigate the world by crossing the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn.
The Jules Verne Trophy is a prize for the fastest circumnavigation of the world by any type of yacht and there are no restrictions on the size of the crew. The award is an homage to the famous Jules Verne novel Around the World in Eighty Days.
Groupama 3 carries the very latest communications technology and will be broadcasting regular updates via their web-site at www.cammas-groupama.com/en
Notes to editors
Groupama Insurances is one of the UK's leading general insurers. The UK group offers motor, home and health insurance and also provides insurance protection to a growing number of smaller UK businesses. The company employs 800 staff in 6 centres and is an accredited 'Investor in People'.
Award winning
Groupama Insurances was winner of the 'Claims Initiative of the Year' Award in the 2007 British Insurance Awards, 'Company of the Year' Award in the Insurance Day Awards 2005, winner of the 'E-Business Award' in the British Insurance Awards 2005 and in both 2005 and 2006 was 'Highly Commended' in category for 'General Insurer of the Year'. Groupama Healthcare won the "Most Innovative New Product" Award at the 2006 Health Insurance Awards.
Groupama is a previous winner of the 'Underwriter of the Year' award in the British Insurance Awards and has twice been voted 'Underwriting Team of the Year' at the Insurance Day Awards. In addition, the UK Group has been awarded 'Insurer of the Year' at the Bodyshop Magazine Awards and was 'Highly Commended' in the National Business Awards 2005 in the Best Use of Technology category.
An impressive pedigree
Groupama Insurances is part of European financial services giant Groupama, an international business that generates annual revenues in excess of 14billion Euros.
Groupama is one of Europe's largest mutuals, the second insurer in France for marine and transport and the country's number one agricultural and individual health insurer.
Visit www.groupama.co.uk or www.groupama.com for the worldwide group
For further press information please contact Alison Reeson, Antonia Connolly or Sarah Samee at HSL on 020 8977 9132 or at hsl@harrisonsadler.com