For more information.

TIPS FOR YOUR TOP FIVE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS:

1. Be water smart in your daily life while washing, cleaning, gardening or cooking

2. Preserve oceans and target zero plastic waste at home in 2012

3. Come to the water pavilion: 1st rendez-vous in Brest on 12 July!

4. Join our European volunteers program-contact solenn.gouerou@multioneattitude.com

5. Help the Foundation by making a donation

Anne-Cecile Turner, Director of the Foundation, and Marco Simeoni, President, have participated in a panel presenting th e MOD70 circuit, together with David Graham from Oman Sail and Mark Turner from OC Thirdpole. Jorge Luis Valdes, the Head of the Ocean Sciences Section of the IOC / UNESCO has come all the way from Paris to support the launch of a partnership programme between the IOC / UNESCO and the Foundation. He talked as well about the benefits of using the sport of sailing as a communication platform for ocean preserv ation.

Victory of the MOD70 Race for Water at the KRYS MATCH, first event and foretaste of the Multi One Championship starting in 2012! Stève Ravussin and his crew showed a great team cohesion. The team was also pride to be associated to the Multi One Attitude Foundation that has just signed a partnership with UNESCO to start joint activities around water conservation.

Stève Ravussin started by thanking his team and shore crew: “The crew did a fantastic job. The boat is magical and we had fantastic conditions here in La Trinité-sur-Mer. This is a great adventure: the MOD70 KRYS MATCH is the culmination of a beautiful project, but mainly the beginning of a great story. The event was perfectly organized. We had the most beautiful moments in the last days, while sailing with the Race for Water – with peaks at 37.8 knots (about 65 km / h!) – but also onshore, with great highlights such as the announcement of the partnership between the Multi One Attitude Foundation and UNESCO (and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) on water conservation.”
Jean Maurel, the Race Director, comments on Stève Ravussin’s performance, “Stève has been very constant throughout the three days. It does not necessarily show in the rankings, but he has been very consistent in the Krys Match races. He seems to feel very comfortable on his boat, maybe because he has more miles than the others at the helm of this racing machine.” He adds in a broad smile: “His victory does not surprise me. Stève loves when it goes fast, and we had windy conditions. Perfect for him! I’ve known him a long time and when I see him here, I feel that he had a great time!”
Yvan Ravussin, who joined the crew of Race for Water for this KRYS MATCH seems very proud of his brother, who conceived the project with Marco Simeoni and Franck David, “I think it’s a great project with a very professional team.” As for the performance of Race for Water, he says: “We have just started to sail together, but the cohesion of the crew went quickly crescendo. Our settings were better and better and these first races will serve as an excellent working basis.” He confirms that he will be part of Race for Water crew for the Multi One Championship 2012!
On the occasion of the KRYS MATCH Prize Giving ceremony, Marco Simeoni, President of the MOD70 class, expressed his joy and gratitude to the entire team who worked on organizing the event. He dedicated the victory of the MOD70 no.1 Race for Water to Hubert Desjoyeaux, owner of CDK Technologies, shipyard of the series, who died recently.
See you next year for the KRYS OCEAN RACE (New York – Brest) on 7 July!

Stay tuned with upcoming events with Stève Ravussin and Race for Water in Switzerland and France!

Final results:

1. Water Race (Stève Ravussin)

2. Veolia Environnement (Roland Jourdain)

3. Foncia (Michel Desjoyeaux)

4. Gitana Edmond de Rothschild Group (Seb Josse) – not ranked

The Krys Match: a trial run for the MOD70 series

High performance offshore trimarans, four teams competing, skippers at the highest level, the Krys Match offers 3 days of thrilling races at La Trinité-sur-Mer. This competition is a foretaste of the Multi One Championship, the MOD70 circuit, which will provide, as of 2012, a programme combining transatlantic races – the Krys Ocean Race (New York-Brest) – a European Tour and a World Ocean Tour.

Great novelty in the yacht racing world, the Multi One Championship will be the communication platform of the Multi One Attitude Foundation, a foundation created in its wake, with the objective to raise public awareness on water preservation issues. The Foundation is proud to present here at La Trinité-sur-Mer the Water Pavilion, a space dedicated to exhibitions for the public, as well as an educational area for the local schools. In addition, the Foundation is also represented by its ambassador boat, the MOD70 nr 1, the Race for Water, skippered by the talented Swiss sailor Stève Ravussin.

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

The UNESCO considers that the Foundation will contribute to develop the visibility of its actions among the general public. Moreover the UNESCO has assessed that the Foundation’s activities are in line with its objectives to raise awareness about the key role that the Ocean plays in the sustainable development and, more generally, that the Foundation positively contributes to the water preservation global issues.

A better understanding of the oceans is necessary to improve the weather forecasts and to anticipate storms and floods. It is also used to define the international actions towards global warming and to optimize the governments’ policies. The oceans are permanently changing and must, therefore, be under permanent observation. This understanding is needed for a global water preservation approach.

The GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System) ensures a long-term observation of the oceans. It has been managed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO since 1990 and has today in place more than:

• 3’000 Argo floats which that collects high-quality temperature and salinity profiles from the upper 2000m of the ice-free global ocean and currents from intermediate depths

• 1’250 drifting buoys which record the currents of surface, the temperature and the atmospheric pressure

• 350 embarked systems on commercial or cruising yachts which collect the temperature, salinity, the oxygen and the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the ocean and the atmosphere, and the atmospheric pressure.

• 100 research vessels which measures all the physical, chemical and biological parameters, between the surface of the sea and the ocean floors every 30 nautical miles out of 25 transoceanic lines.

• 200 marigraphs and holographs which transmit information in quasi real time, thus providing the possibility of detecting tsunamis.

• 50 commercial ships which launch probes measuring the temperature and salinity between the surface and the ocean floor on their transoceanic ways.

• 200 dampings in open sea which are used as long-term observatories, recording weather, chemical and biological parameters on a fixed site between the surface and the bottom.

ARGO Floats

Since 2000, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO has been coordinating the international scientific activities for the ARGO project deployment, a network of 3′000 floats which measure in real time the temperature and salinity of the oceans. The objective of the programme is to maintain a network of at least 3′000 ARGO floats covering the ice-free zones in order to study the oceans long-term variability. This system, in permanent evolution, requires assistance to deploy at least 800 floats every year, in order to compensate for the losses: freeze, beaching, old age (4-5 years) and areas that are not covered by the usual commercial routes.

ARGO floats are able to measure the temperature and salinity up to 2.000 meters depth, every 10 days, with a lifespan from 3 to 5 years. Once launched, the floats are started automatically. They go down to the parameterized depth, derive during several days, and come up again, with the measures of the ocean salinity and temperature. The data are automatically transmitted to the satellites. All the parameters of the mission, like the drift depth, the sampling vertical resolution and the time on surface, can be worked to be appropriate for the exploitation area.

The Multi One Attitude Foundation activities

The Foundation has launched a water preservation programme for the general public, as well as an educational program for the children. In this context, the Foundation is looking for the best scientific and technical expertise on the subject, at both local and international level. The UNESCO programs in the areas of hydrology, oceanography and education will enable the Foundation to get in contact with a network of international experts, a source of local knowledge on a global subject. In addition, the “UNESCO World Heritage” sites on the Championship route will have the opportunity, through this event, to explain their achievements in preserving those natural treasures and to encourage the locals to pursue even after the end of the race.

In addition, in order to concretely contribute to the Global Ocean Observing System, the Multi One Attitude Foundation and the UNESCO are currently evaluating the possibility for the “Race for Water”, the Foundation ambassador boat, and the other MOD70 boats, to take part in the ARGO program.

Anne-Cecile Turner, Multi One Attitude Foundation director, declares: “We are very happy to be in partnership with the UNESCO. We are delighted to collaborate with the division for oceanography, hydrology, the man and biosphere, and education, and to benefit from their expertise and their scientific knowledge about water issues. We are convinced that we will be an efficient international communication platform for the UNESCO programs, via the Multi One Championship and the ambassador boat Race for Water.”

More information:

The Global Ocean Observing System:

www.ioc-goos.org

The IOC – WMO Joint Technical Commission on Oceanography and Marine Meteorology:

www.jcomm.info

Smooth teamwork and smart tactics

Today, Stève Ravussin and his crew won two races out of three, and one, even in front of Gitana Edmond de Rothschild Group. Remember that Gitana, skippered by Seb Josse, is technically faster and more powerful and sails off competition. “Fantastic teamwork today with precise maneuvers and good atmosphere onboard. I would particularly like to point out the exceptional tactics of François Morvan. He made the right choices at the right moment. We are very happy. We lead the provisional ranking, but there’s still one day to go!” says the Swiss skipper.

Even if the crew has changed since yesterday, the cohesion was very good. Remember that Seb Audigane had to leave the boat yesterday following a hand injury. We now know that he is recovering and doing well. His right index finger is injured. Fortunately the bone was not affected, and he will soon return onboard. In the meantime, Pascal Bidegorry came to the rescue. He is familiar with the boat as he was part of the crew during the Rolex Fastnet Race last August.

When asked about his decisive role onboard, François Morvan, 28 years old (the youngest crew after Loïc Leforestier) says modestly: “It’s a team effort. We are 8 on board and this victory is the result of a great team effort. We did a very good start today and it’s always easier to make the right decisions when you’re ahead. In this kind of race where the course is particularly short, the maneuvers make the difference. What matters in the choice of tactics is to facilitate the work of the crew by anticipating the lengths well before the buoys, to be sharp with the lay-lines and to be at the right place at the right moment.”

…As simple as that! See you tomorrow!

Results after the second day of racing:

1. Water Race for 52 points

2. Foncia 47 points

3. Veolia Environnement 47 points

4. Gitana Edmond de Rothschild Group 58 points (not ranked)

The serious business began at La Trinité-sur-Mer for the first confrontation between the MOD70s. It’s been a hard day for the teams: “It was physically very demanding” says Alexandre Quiblier, grinder aboard Race for Water.

The boats have shown regularity since everyone today has kept its position for the three races. Thus Race for Water has crossed the line of the three races in second place behind Veolia and in front of Foncia. This regularity should not hide the battles that have been going on between the 3 MOD70s, knowing that Gitana XI Edmond de Rothschild Group was sailing off competition. We’ve been informed later in the day that Veolia had crossed the start line of the first race too early, which made Race for Water on level points with her.

On the second race, Seb Audigane (headsail trimmer) aboard Race for Water, has injured his hand. He had to be taken to the hospital and has been replaced at short notice by skipper of the future MOD70 no5, Yann Guichard, who has come to La Trinité-sur-Mer to watch his future opponents.

“The conditions were really tough for a first day,” says Steve Ravussin, “The race courses were short and the wind conditions we had today (about 20 to 25 knots late in the day) gave the impression the course was even shorter. The crew showed great cohesion in the maneuvers, knowing they had not sailed all together yet.” His face still covered with salt, he adds: “Yes it was impressive: we have reached 37 knots. It was fantastic! These reaching legs, even on such big boats, make you wet!”

Results available on www.krys-oceanrace.com

Crew Members Race for Water :

A real match-racing regatta between the two MOD70s has been going on through the whole Rolex Fastnet Race! Tactics and concentration during more than 34 hours for the crew composed by Dee Caffari, Sebastien Audigane, Pascal Bidegorry, Jacques Guichard and Nico Pichelin. With Veolia Environnement constantly in front of their bow or just behind their back, the crew enjoyed an intense race in the race.

Despite a messy start in Cowes on Sunday, with an early passing of the line, Stève Ravussin and his crew has made an amazing race! Fastest out of the blocks were Gitana 11, the trimaran skippered by Vendee Globe and Volvo Ocean Race skipper Sebastien Josse and Roland Jourdain’s MOD70 Veolia Environnement, however MOD70 Race for Water has managed to catch up very quickly on the way out of the Solent.

Dee Caffari, the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world three times, is thrilled with her first multihull experience: “It has been totally mind blowing!  It has been sailing 110% all the time.” She adds: “And it has been so exciting to be in a competition within the race. So great. I definitely think that Great Britain should get involved in this class! It is absolutely fantastic!”

Passing the finishing line, Stève Ravussin says: “This has been an amazing race! We have been in contact with Veolia all the time. Sometimes we were ahead and sometimes they were. It has been so interesting. And we sailed full speed nonstop! At the end, the best have won. This is a true one-design class, so we have no excuse, they were just better than us!“ says Stève with a laugh. “This kind of race is really exhausting. As the course is short, you just have to be more than 100% all  the time, but I like it this way!”

Marco Simeoni, Chairman of Multi One Design and co-founder of the class with Franck David and Stève Ravussin, says: “I am so excited about this result. Both boats have done a fantastic race… Less than 4 minutes between the boats at the finish line after more than 600 miles… Can you imagine the superbe spectacle we will have next year with 6 boats on the line for the Krys Ocean Race starting July 4, 2012 in New York and 7 units for the European Championship in September 2012. This is a unique one-design concept for such a large ocean trimaran and I am so much looking forward to seeing the fleet grow!”

What an ambassador for the Multi One Attitude Foundation the MOD70 Race for Water is! The foundation focusing on water preservation has chosen to use sailing as an innovative and engaging platform to raise awareness and educate public opinion. Born in the wake of the Multi One Championship, the Foundation will develop its actions in parallel with the worldwide championship starting in 2012.

The Rolex Fastnet Race will be the second official race for the MOD70 Race for Water. After a great first race (and victory!) in the Stockholm Gotland Race beginning of July in Sweden, Race for Water is back for a new challenge, the Rolex Fastnet Race, one of the most famous ocean races in the world, which was first sailed in 1925. Run every two years, the 608-nautical mile race has captured the imagination of sailors the world over. The first signal sound is given at 10:50 am in Cowes on the Isle of Wight in front of the famous Royal Yacht Squadron. The boats have to round the Fastnet Rock out of Ireland, sailing one of the most challenging seas of the world, and come to the finish line in Plymouth.

“This is a fantastic race and the racing format I like. It is a kind of fast marathon, almost a sprint race, that requires good tactics and navigation, and that gives some good adrenaline to your body!“, says Swiss skipper Stève Ravussin. “It will be special for our new class as well, as it will be a first official encounter between two MOD70’s! I am really looking forward to competing against Veolia Environnement!”.

Stève Ravussin’s crew will be composed of: Nico Pichelin (trimmer), Pascal Bidegorry (navigator), Jacques Guichard (in charge of the sails & trimmer), Sebastien Audigane (foredeck), and special guest, British sailor Dee Caffari.

An exciting news and a great help on board: Dee Caffari, the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world three times. The British sailor has accepted the invitation of the Swiss skipper with enthusiasm and will be a fantastic support with a great experience of the local conditions.

The MOD70 Race for Water is the ambassador boat of the Multi One Attitude Foundation. The foundation dedicated to water preservation has chosen to use SAILING as an innovative and engaging platform to raise awareness and educate public opinion. Born in the wake of the Multi One Championship, the thrilling new one design oceanic trimaran competition, the Foundation will develop its actions in parallel with the worldwide championship that is starting in 2012.