Lorient to be announced as Volvo Ocean Race stopover on Wednesday?

After Cape Town and Lisbon is Lorient, France the next stopover to be announced for the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race? If one is to believe the French press, here and here, it is already a done deal and Norbert Métairie, the city's mayor, together with Knut Frostad, Volvo Ocean Race CEO, will make the formal announcement on Wednesday noon, during a presentation to be held in the Auditorium of the Cité de la Voile Eric Tabarly.

Some of the most famous French skippers bring their support to Lorient's bid. Video copyright Région Bretagne

If it is indeed Lorient this wouldn't come as a surprise at all given the presence of one of the world's powerhouses in offshore sailing, Franck Cammas and Groupama. In addition, the French is one of the two teams that have officially entered the competition so far and while Cammas 1,000 miles from Cape Horn onboard Groupama 3, trying to beat the round-the-world record, the shore crew has launched G70, former Ericsson 4. According to our friend in Lorient, Capucine Trochet, G70 was taken for a spin around the channel today, for more than 1 hour, then returned to port before going out again for some real sailing? Anything to do with tomorrow's press conference?

Groupama's G70 taken for a test sail. Lorient, 2 March 2010. Photo copyright Capucine Trochet

Groupama's G70 launched. Lorient, 23 February 2010. Photo copyright Yvan Zedda / Groupama