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Record SNSM: Morgan Lagravière’s first race on Safran
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For his first race on the new Safran, Morgan Lagravière will be joined by Nicolas Lunven for the Record SNSM, a 330-mile race, which starts in Saint-Nazaire on Sunday June 21 at 2000hrs (French time). For the Lagravière / Lunven duo, the race will be a major test for the Transat Jacques Vabre.
“This first competitive race should be constructive and we'll learn valuable lessons for the two major events of the season: the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Transat BtoB,” Morgan Lagravière said. Currently training at Pôle France in Port-la-Forêt with his teammate, Nicolas Lunven, Lagravière is already thinking about what faces them in the race this weekend. On Sunday evening at 2000hrs, the two sailors will leave Saint-Nazaire at the start of the Record SNSM. The course consists of a 330-mile loop where you have to round the Île de Groix, leave to port the Rochebonne Shelf (off the Île de Ré), round the BXA safe water mark (at mouth of the Gironde), and then head back to Saint-Nazaire. Lagravière expects a race of between 24 and 48 hours, depending on weather conditions. Lagravière and Lunven, on board the new Safran, will face at least three other IMOCA 60: SMA (skipper Paul Meilhat), Initiatives-Cœur (Tanguy de Lamotte) and Bureau Vallée (Louis Burton). A fourth, (but by no means least), competitor could be added to the list: Armel Le Cléac'h’s new Banque Populaire VIII, launched last week.
“Relishing the fight”
Lagravière is approaching this inaugural race in fine mood. “Nicolas and I have sailed a lot double-handed and we've begun to get a good handle on the boat,” the young skipper of Safran said. “Our reflexes are there now. We also know the area we'll be sailing very well, having been through it many times during our years in Figaro.” So, full of confidence, the Safran tandem are playing to win. “For the moment, all the IMOCA have trained on their own. It’s time to measure ourselves against each other. Our desire is enormous, and we will be relishing the fight,” Lagravière said with the competitor’s glint in his eye.
Photo : Safran
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