The skippers
Louis Burton arrived in the world of ocean racing without warning, making his first steps as a sailor from 2003 to 2009 with 5 participations in each of the following regattas: Spi Ouest France, Obelix Trophy and Atlantic Trophy.
The 30-year-old is one of the youngest skippers in the Imoca class. However, he will already be participating in his 3rd e jacques Vabre transatlantic race. Accompanied by his sponsor Bureau Vallée, he has matured his projects and improved his results: 7th in the Jacques Vabre in 2011, 5th in 2013, 5th in the Route du Rhum in 2014.
He also showed that he was reckless when in 2010, after a collision with a trawler in the middle of the Atlantic, Louis continued his race at the helm of his injured Class40 to Pointe-à-Pitre. It was his first transatlantic race. It was after this race that he decided to make a change in his life, migrating from Paris to Saint-Malo. From his meeting with Servane Escoffier was born a family, but also a nice professional project, the company BG RACE, intended to develop offshore racing projects and a shipyard, whose first Tizh 40, class 40 of last generation on plan Verdier, plays today the first roles in the races of the class in the hands of Yannick Bestaven.
After 5 seasons of ocean racing, Louis Burton is no longer a young wolf, but a seasoned sailor who has decided to surround himself with an experienced co-skipper and recognized Figaro racer. This 12 e edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre will be another step towards his goal of the 2016 Vendée Globe.
Romain Attanasio is a professional skipper, member of the Pôle Finistère Course au Large. This experienced Figaro racer has 10 Solitaires du Figaro, 4 Transat AG2R double-handed races, including a podium, and 4 Cap Istanbul, including a victory. He has also twice been in the Top 10 of the French Single-handed Offshore Racing Championship.
He often plays the role of co-skipper, as in the Multihull World Championship, aboard Michel Desjoyeaux's trimaran, where he won the 2nd race e place. The following year, he won the championship with Franck Cammas.
He has also been a weather router for Michel Desjoyeaux, Yvan Bourgnon, and the Figaro team of the Pôle Finistère Course au Large. He knows all the facets of the ocean racing profession.
The boat
Technical specifications
Lighter, more ergonomic, new keel and sails, improved mast� Bureau Vallée was relaunched in 2011 after extensive improvements. Former Delta Dore built in 2006, she finished 2nd in the Calais Round
Britain Race, 4th in the Fastnet Race 2007 and has already raced two SNSM Trophies (2nd in 2007, 4th in 2008), the Barcelona World Race 2007 and the Vendée Globe 2008.
| Class | Imoca |
| Sail number | FRA 35 |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Width | 5,85 m |
| Draft | 4,50 m |
| Displacement (weight) | 9.3 tons |
| Number of drifts | 2 |
| Height matte | 28 m |
| Keel sail | Carbon |
| Home port | Saint-Malo |
| Architect | Farr Yacht Design |
| Construction site (builder) | JMV Industries |
| Launch date | 2006 |
| Upwind sail area | 320 m2 |
| Downwind sail area | 620 m2 |
| Source of energy production on board | hydrogenerators + motor |
Awards
| Race | Skippers | Running time | Ranking |
| SNSM Record (21/06/2015) | Louis Burton | Not established | |
| Route du Rhum (02/11/2014) | Louis Burton | 14 days, 1 hour, 33 minutes and 44 seconds | 5 |
| Transat Jacques Vabre 2013 (07/11/2013) | Louis Burton & Guillaume Le Brec | 5 | |
| Vendée Globe 2012-2013 (10/11/2012) | Louis Burton | TDR | |
| Transat B to B (05/12/2011) | Louis Burton | 8 | |
| Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 (30/10/2011) | Louis Burton | 7 |
