The skippers
Tanguy de Lamotte he became passionate about sailing when he participated in the Trophée des Lycées in 1993, at the age of 15. Before that, his thing is judo, even if he sometimes sails a little during the summer vacations in Brittany. But two successive cervical injuries will prevent him from continuing his martial art.
In 1997, with his baccalaureate in hand, he left to study naval architecture in Southampton, England. This trip was also an opportunity for him to meet great skippers such as Ellen Mac Arthur, Brian Thompson, Nick Moloney who made their debut in Mini 6.50. While he helps them to prepare their boats for the Vendée Globe, he also hopes to be able to design and build his own Mini one day, to cross the Atlantic solo.
In 2002, he built himself a boat and participated in the Mini Transat in 2005, where he finished in 7 e position. But before that, he participated in several races: 1st in the Roma per due (2001), 1st in the Sydney âeuros Hobart (2002), 3rd in the Open 1/2 Clé and 5th in the Transgascogne (2003) or 7th in the Mini Fastnet (2004).
Attracted above all by the technical part of a project, and the design of the boat, he joined the firm of architects Simon Rogers to draw the plans of his Class40. In 2008, he became the world winner in Class40 and in 2009, he won the first edition of the Solidaire Chocolat, and the Rolex Fastnet Race.
In 2010, he finished 15th e of the Route du Rhum. 2011 is the year of victories as he repeats on the Rolex Fastnet Race. He also won the Normandy Channel Race with Sébastien Audigane. This year will also be the year of his first participation in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Eric Perron, where he will be forced to abandon.
In November 2012, he embarked on the Vendée Globe, which he finished in 10 e position. In 2013, he starts his 2 e Transat Jacques Vabre, accompanied by the actor François Damiens and finished in 8th place e position. In 2014, he launched himself into the Route du Rhum and finished in 7th place e position, despite a damaged rudder.
Since 2009, Tanguy de Lamotte has become the spokesperson for Fond'Actions Initiatives and sails for the cause of sick children. Each race raises public awareness of the work of Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque and raises funds to save children.
Ãeur each time a new internet user subscribes to the initiatives-cÅur Facebook page, the sponsors-mécènes of the boat donate 2 euros to Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque to operate on sick children. Each time a user shares a initiatives-cÅur publication on his or her own Facebook wall, the sponsors donate an additional 1 euro to the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque association.
Samantha Davies is originally from Great Britain. She trained as an engineer at Saint-John College in Cambridge, which allowed her to manage the techniques of sailing. Now settled on the Brittany coast, she has a great experience of ocean racing. She has already sailed on all the seas of the globe and on all kinds of boats (60 feet, maxi, Figaroâeuros¦.). She has already sailed 21 transatlantic races and has just finished the Volvo Ocean Race, with a 100% female crew, for an 8-month round-the-world race.
In 2002, she participated in her first Transat Jacques Vabre with Nick Moloney. From 2003 to 2006, she tackled the Figaro circuit. In 2007 she participated in 2 e Transat Jacques Vabre, before tackling his first Vendée Globe in 2008-2009 and finishing 4th e . It is at this moment that the public discovers her.
In 2009, she was elected "Yachtswoman of the year" thanks to the reputation she has built up and her many sailing experiences. In 2012, she was the only woman to take part in the solo race around the world, but was forced to abandon.
The boat
Initiatives-Coeur is Arnaud de Boissières' ex-Akena, designed by Bruce Farr and sister-ship of Foncia, winner of the last Vendée Globe. Bought in 2009, this powerful and performing boat was restored after the damages suffered in 2008 and finished 7th in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2009 and in the Route du Rhum 2010.
Technical specifications
| Class | Imoca |
| Sail number | |
| Architect | Bruce Farr Yacht Design |
| Job site | CDK Technologies |
| Year of launch | 2006 |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Width | 5,95 m |
| Draft | 4,50 m |
| Displacement (weight) | 8 tons |
| Number of drifts | 2 |
| Height matte | 28,10 m |
| Keel sail | Steel |
| Upwind sail area | 300 m2 |
| Sail area downwind | 600 m2 |
| Home port | Lorient |
| Source of energy production on board | Hydrogenerators |
Awards
| Race | Skippers | Running time | Ranking |
| Rolex Fastnet Race (16/08/2015) | Tanguy de Lamotte and Samantha Davies | 5 | |
| SNSM Record (21/06/2015) | Tanguy de Lamotte | Not established | |
| Route du Rhum (02/11/2014) | Tanguy de Lamotte | 16d 15h 28' 13'' | 7 |
| Vendée Globe 2012-2013 (10/11/2012) | Arnaud Boissières | 91d 02h 09' 02'' | 8 |
| Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 (30/10/2011) | Arnaud Boissières | TDR | |
| Route du Rhum (31/10/2010) | Arnaud Boissières | 15d 20h 34' 0'' | 7 |
