Latest News
World Yacht Racing Forum12/18/2009 16:20
The second edition of the World Yacht Racing Forum finished on 10 December at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The event was a huge success and the overwhelming feedback from almost 400 delegates was that the World Yacht Racing Forum has established itself as the 'must attend' event for the yacht racing industry. This year, the Forum featured several debates and presentations across all aspects of the business of the sport. Nathalie Quéré, Head of Sponsorship at BT Global Services took part of the debate: 'Leveraging the Sponsorship Deal – How to maximise the Investment' and present the BT Team Ellen project to the attendance. She took the opportunity to say a huge thank you from all at BT for those three years and gave Ellen, Nick and Seb three beautiful paintings while they were all on stage. A unique and emotional moment for everyone in the room!
BT back in Cowes12/10/2009 16:51
After having reached Southampton on Sunday, BT was towed across the Solent on Tuesday and is now safely back in Medina Yard, where she was launched in 2007. The team, lead by Paul Quinn who at the time supervised the build, is already hard at work and the drying out process has started.
Ship back to France...11/22/2009 15:36
BT is now afloat in the fishing harbour at Pria da Vitoria, Terceria Azores ( and attracting quite a crowd). After a few days of cleaning up she's looking like a boat once more. The current plans for her return to Mainland Europe are being made, but likely she'll travel by ship in early December to Lorient. Any damage to the boat will be boarded up for shipping. Once back in europe BT shore team be able to look more closely on the damage and have a thorough survey to see what other damage might have been done.
"We are floating"...11/18/2009 22:42
Against all the odds, the final call that all the BT team had been waiting for, came from the shore team in Azores tonight: "We are floating!" Two hours on the crane and the team got to work pumping the water out of the BT yacht until she self-floated. "Good operation and great dive assistants. We found things you would have expected would have gone days ago!" said Charles Darbyshire.
Secure alongside11/18/2009 14:19
BT is alongside at Praia da Vitoria and the crane is on standby (just need the paperwork to be finished!). However, it is very, very windy (gusting 60 knots) so the immediate plan is for the crane to get the boat level above the waterline so the shore team can get on deck and start pumping out the water, then when the winds recede it will become safe to lift the boat out of the water and on to the hard.
Nearly alongside...11/18/2009 10:19
Latest from the BT team in Terceira: "We've dropped the tow and we're tied up, nearly alongside, we're so close to capsizing on the dock it's frightening. We just need to get a little closer to the dock to secure her properly."
BT yacht is inside the harbour11/18/2009 08:11
The BT yacht is inside the harbour at Terceira but now completely under water when upright: "We're inside the harbour so things are better but we're waiting for daylight and a container ship to leave so we can get alongside. She is completely underwater when upright and when she lists over you can see the BT logo on her topsides. We've come this far, we're determined to finish the job but even now it's not a done deal." The team need to get BT alongside as soon as they cane, get a crane to hold her, then slowly lift her up, inch by inch, as they pump the water out.
Getting closer...11/17/2009 17:47
Now 32 miles from the Azores but only making 3 knots under tow ie another 10 hours, the salvage team will have to wait until daylight to enter the protection of the commercial harbour at Praia da Vitoria on the island of Terceira. "If we can get in the lee of the island we might be okay...the sea state isn't too bad but we know it's going to get worse as the depression takes hold so it's still touch and go."
High risk strategy...11/17/2009 15:19
The tug is now having to tow the BT yacht at 7 knots which increases the risk of capsize, damage and the tow breaking... But there is no choice - there is only 5 hours of daylight remaining, the storm is coming with 47nm to go to the Azores.
News from the salvage front - and now, the whale!11/17/2009 10:01
The tow line is being re-established, the crew hope to resume progress south very shortly - but conditions are starting to worsen, and the bow is now awash as well, which indicates that the forward bulkheads have suffered. At dawn it was relatively calm, but the wind is starting to turn to the west from north west, and gusts are picking up already. BT is 80 miles from 'home'. A large whale was seen 'stroking' BT as the crew was on the phone with the shore base!
On a lighter note...11/17/2009 09:43
Whilst the team await news this morning about the salvage operation, on lighter note... Tonight on BBC1 at 9.00pm see the final episode of 'Around the World In 80 Days' for Children in Need. The two celebrities, Josie Lawrence and Shane Ritchie, who have to cover America, the Atlantic and the final hurdle - the English Channel - where they enlist the help of a certain famous sailing Dame! Ellen joins the celebrity duo and the crew of the IMOCA 60 Artemis to bring Josie and Shane back to UK shores for their final sprint to London.
Set back for salvage operations11/16/2009 21:27
The shore team have reported the tow line to the BT yacht has parted. The BT yacht is weighed down heavily with water and was awash by the time the tug found the boat this afternoon - listing heavily to port with the decks aft of the mast under water, although the team managed to get a tow line attached to the bow. In pitch darkness it is impossible to re-attach the tow line and the team will have to wait until sunrise. However, with a storm forecast to hit the area tomorrow evening from the south-west with gusts over 50 knots, the salvage operation is far from over. The BT yacht is currently 83 miles north of Terceira island at the Azores.
BT yacht found - very tricky salvage operation ahead11/16/2009 12:33
The tugboat just found the stricken BT monohull, drifting in rough seas some 115 miles North of Terceira (Azores). The yacht is tilted on her port side, due to the keel being canted, the cockpit and the area aft of the mast underwater… The bow is still up but at the moment and given the sea state it's impossible to send someone on board. The weight of the water filling up BT will naturally make towing very difficult - the technical team is currently trying to find a solution but time is critical as the area will be swept by yet another fierce gale tomorrow evening.
Getting closer11/16/2009 11:54
Having left Horta (Azores) yesterday mid-afternoon aboard the tugboat chartered for the BT yacht salvage operation, the technical team is now getting closer to the monohull's position. Conditions are still quite rough in the area, making progress rather slow.
Tug on its way to BT...11/15/2009 12:09
BT shore team, Charles, Rhys and PE have just left Horta on a tug...230 miles to get to BT's position, and 48 hours before the next storm arrives. The clock is ticking!
First Images from Rescue Plane 11/14/2009 16:31
The Portuguese Air Force have provided the first images of the rescue as their plane spotted the BT yacht. Sincerest thanks go to the Portuguese Air Force for a fantastic efficient rescue operation yesterday. A light aircraft has been sent this afternoon over the yacht’s latest position to verify the boat's situation. A tugboat will leave first thing tomorrow with BT shore team members Pierre-Emanuel, Charles and Rhys onboard. It will be a long and complex recovery operation – and a wet and cold one too. The forecast is not great for the next five days, and a major storm is expected to arrive Tuesday night adding to the pressure.
BT shore team on their way...11/14/2009 11:12
Charles and Rhys from the BT shore team took a plane yesterday afternoon bound for the Azores. They have now landed on Pico Island and heading to Horta to meet with the tug operators and make preparations to find and tow the BT yacht. They expect to leave later this afternoon.
Back in France soon...11/14/2009 11:11
Sébastien and Jean-François are on thir way to Terceira airport and will be back in France tonight.
Seb and Jeff's first reactions...11/14/2009 01:08
The shore team finally spoke to Sébastien Josse and Jean-François Cuzon tonight at 2245 GMT. Sounding exhausted and understandably subdued, the duo relayed their daunting experience. Read full transcript in News below...
1800 GMT11/13/2009 18:08
Sébastien Josse and Jean-François Cuzon were finally safe and sound, in the helicopter taking them back to Tercera (Azores). The helicopter was aboard the Ocean Explorer scientific vessel, which came to the crew's rescue. That happy episode put an end to an extremely stressful and anguishing day.
17:05 GMT11/13/2009 17:09
The Ocean Explorer rescue boat has just made visual + VHF contact with the crew aboard the BT monohull.
16:05 GMT11/13/2009 16:04
Race direction just spoke with Sébastien, both men are perfectly fine and getting ready to seeing the plane fly over them very shortly. The visibility is rather bad.
15:50 GMT11/13/2009 15:50
A scientific vessel is getting near BT's position, and a plane should also be in the perimeter very shortly.
15:00 GMT11/13/2009 15:01
No more news for the moment, the rescue boat is heading towards the BT yacht on board which the situation is stable.
Rescue boat 30 miles away11/13/2009 14:04
Jeff Cuzon spoke to Race Director Jean Maurel at 13:25 GMT approximately, the situation is stable on board and both men are secure, calmly waiting for the rescue operation to unfold. A helicopter is currently refuelling and will depart to locate the BT yacht as soon as possible. Due to the conditions it might not be possible to recover the skippers by air. However, a rescue boat is 30 miles away from the BT yacht and making best speed towards the boat. The crew still have their handheld Iridium satellite phone, and the EPIRB beacon is functioning properly, reporting the boats position. The website will be updated every 30 minutes (on the hour and half past) with news.
BT waiting to be rescued11/13/2009 13:24
The crew have reported that the coach roof was torn and said the boat was 2 thirds full of water. They have prepared the TPS survival suits and liferaft, and wait for the rescue resources to reach them. MRCC Falmouth confirmed that the RCC Azores have sent a helicopter and a Navy vessel towards BT, whilst emitting a satellite broadcast alert to shipping in the area.
BT activates distress beacon - rescue operation underway11/13/2009 12:33
At approximately 11:00 GMT today, BT crew Sébastien Josse and Jean-François Cuzon have activated their EPIRB distress beacon after having suffered major damage following a night battling it out in fierce seas and winds reaching 60 knots at times. The skippers are in regular contact with Race Director Jean Maurel, and have reported significant damage to the coachroof, and water entering the boat. The MRCC are coordinating operations with the Transat Jacques Vabre Race Direction and the BT shore team, to ensure the safe recovery of the skippers. MRCC Falmouth confirmed that the RCC Azores was had sent a helicopter and a Navy vessel over to BT, whilst carrying out a satellite broadcast alert to shipping in the area. BT is currently 210 miles North of the Azores, 42 10º N - 27 50º W.
Jeff: "Wow, 53 knots...got to go..." 11/13/2009 07:41
Extract of the morning radio vacation with Jeff : “The conditions are very difficult. Since midnight we have had between 35 and 60 knots. It’s tough, it’s horrible, it’s impressive. You try to preserve the boat as much as you can. The swell is powerful but the most impressive are the gusts of wind. It goes up so quickly and that is what makes it so difficult. Then today maybe round midday it should start to drop. ....now, we have 53 knots of wind, I need to go....”
That's hell...11/13/2009 07:41
BT is still second, 18,7 miles behnd Safran. Sailing conditions out there are very difficult. Check below the email received by the boat this morning and an extract of the morning radio vacation with Jeff. No need to add anything !
Email from the boat...11/13/2009 07:26
"Impressive, the conditions are really hard on the water, 35 to 60 knots with a big swell (thankfully we are not upwind). Onboard BT, we just arch ou back and wait for better times, we just had a couple of gusts at 55 knots. Jojo has done a great job at the helm and we are now with only the main sail. We hope to get out of that terrible weather in the middle of the day. Since then, it will be hard to sleep or do something on board. Have a good day, mine can only go better. Jean-François aboard BT.
Ready for (another) rough night!11/12/2009 19:08
As expected, this night should be a rough one for the fleet of the Transat Jacques Vabre. 40-45 knots of wind and 5-6 meters of swell should make for horrendous sailing conditions for men and boats. Marc Guillemot and Charles Caudrelier overtook Seb Josse and JF Curzon on BT today and are now leading by 4.7 miles. Don't miss the amazing video sent by the BT duo earlier today! Live from a washing machine!
Change of leader of the IMOCA fleet11/12/2009 14:57
Under a lot of pressure from Safran - who overtook them early this afternoon, Seb and Jeff are enjoying a little respite as the weather is a lot milder than yesterday. But another front is coming tonight with about 40 to 45 knots of wind, but it will only last for 5 or 6 hours. Watch today video conference with Sébastien Josse below.
"it's almost confortable"11/12/2009 07:26
BT is still leading the fleet this morning, with Safran just 8 miles in her wake. Milder day expected for the fleet but the horrendous conditions of sailing should be back tonight. Sébastien Josse interviewed this morning by the race organizers: "The night was better than the one before, but it was still as bad as it was forecast. The sea was more than yesterday after we same 40-50 knots, and swells to 6.5 metres. Now we have between 25 and 30 knots, up to 35 in the gusts and a swell of around 4 metres. It could almost be comfortable. The fact I know Jean-François so well and am comfortable with him enables us to be a bit more relaxed and confident together when we are under the cosh. The winds will drop a little more to 15-20 knots, but we will get another system tonight. After then we should be able to crack off a little, accelerate and the boat should be a little flatter. Tiredness just now under these conditions is much more mental than physical, but that goes when we get some rest."
No change with the last position report11/11/2009 19:54
BT is still leading the fleet tonight, with Safran just 12 miles in her wake. The leading boats are on a SSW course, continuing to make progress through choppy seas and getting ready for another bumpy night. As Sébastien told us this morning, no respite can be expected before tomorrow evening, so let's wish them "fair" winds and hope the sailors can get a bit of rest.
"It's a battlefield inside"11/11/2009 15:10
BT is doing around ten knots, under very reduced sails since Sébastien and Jean-François opted for the minimal 3 reefs - storm jib combination, making good progress considering the horrendous conditions. The closest rivals hang in there, but BT maintains a lead exceeding 15 miles over Safran in second position, yet if this is obviously very satisfying, getting through the severe weather unscathed is the priority.
2nd day in the lead11/11/2009 07:30
2nd day in the lead for BT that is now heading west with a group of 4 boats (Safran, Aviva, Mike Golding Yacht Racing and Groupe Bel) while Artemis, Akena Veranda, W Hotel, DCNS and Foncia) are still heading south. Sébastien Josse explained this morning: "It's like being in a shaker ! We have between 30 and 35 knots of wind and a choppy sea so it's quite uncomfortable but we have seen worse. We haven't really changed our organisation onboard, we ate a lot yesterday to get energy. We are sure of our option, we exactly know where we are going and it's not because that Michel is heading south that we have to do the same ! What is important is to be in the leading pack, we are not alone, for the moment to be first in not a priority."
Increasing the lead...11/10/2009 19:03
Fastest boat of the last 3 hours with an average speed of 16,9 knots, BT is increasing her lead in front of the IMOCA fleet, now 7,6 miles ahead of Safran and 15 ahead of Veolia. The fleet is now spread between North and South and it seems that for the moment the northern boats are clearly gaining on the southerners such as Foncia, Akena Vérandas...
Preparing for the rough weather...11/10/2009 16:36
Still leader of the IMOCA fleet, 1,9 miles ahead of Groupe Bel and 6,3 of Safran, Seb and Jeff are preparing themselves and the boat for the toughest night so far.
Send a message to Seb and Jeff11/10/2009 15:51
Follow Seb and Jeff in the Transat Jacques Vabre and send them directly your message or question here. Click in 'Email Seb' in the main menu of this page and write your message!
A bit like a ride in a washing machine ...11/10/2009 11:49
After almost 48 hours spent at sea since the start, BT co-skipper Jeff Cuzon gives us a a glimpse of the wet atmosphere on board. The weather has gotten worse and the wind is expected to pick up even more in the next few days. A bit like a ride in a washing machine… and watch out for that wave, Jeff!
An email from Jeff11/10/2009 08:25
Nov. 10 2009, 22 kts of NW wind Heading 245º 18 - 20 kts boatspeed Another beautiful starry night, after the front passed, but to be honest it's not easy to see the sky with all the spray coming on deck, it's a real high-pressure wash. Today on the menu, downwind conditions, nice!!! Then we're in for more hairy reaching and back upwind. Jojo and myself are on good form, we've taken turns at sleeping. 'Later, Jean-François
BT in the lead...11/10/2009 07:25
Good surprise this morning with the first position report, boats positioned in the north of the fleet have been faster than the rest and it's now BT that is leading the IMOCA fleet while Foncia (leader yesterday) is now 11th. Brit Air has some technical problems and is waiting for daylight to check the boat and take a decision.
Last position report of the day...11/9/2009 19:07
Still in 6th position, Seb and Jeff are sailing on a northerly course compared to the rest of the fleet but are doing the best average speed of the leading group. Groupe Bel is now leading the IMOCA fleet but neck qnd neck with Foncia and Brit Air. Watch today's video conference with BT co-skipper Jean)François in the multimedia section:
BT back in 6th11/9/2009 16:46
Speed has picked up quite a bit for the fleet, and BT is now back in 6th place, being the fastest boat in the top 10. Expect to see Seb and Jeff come back hard on the top 5 - bearing in mind that gaps between the boats are still very limited.
Start Pictures11/9/2009 12:38
You will find in the photo galery, all the pictures from theTransat Jacques Vabre start by Thierry Martinez, official Photographer of BT Team Ellen.
