In what state of mind are you today with the launch of the Maxi Banque Populaire IX?
I am very happy today because it is a parenthesis of this rather complicated episode. Since April 14 and this capsizing, it was first necessary to bring back the boat and repair it. We didn't necessarily know at the start in what timing and if we would be able to make the Route du Rhum. It was a big chapter, which ends today in a beautiful way. We saved time ( NDRL : the launch was planned for September ), we did everything we wanted to do. We're happy to be back at sea and it's a pleasure.
The launch was to take place in September and the boat is finally launched on 29 August...
There was a lot of work done by the team. We were also lucky to have shipyards and suppliers who responded, who gave us a helping hand to respect the timing we had. Notably the mast construction at Lorima, or Multiplast which allowed us to repair the platform.
Many of the suppliers we are used to working with have also been able to stagger their schedules a little so that we can get back on schedule. In the end we find the boat as we lost it a little, or at least left it, when it was still upright and it feels good!
Will capsizing change the way you sail?
We sure learned a lot from that capsizing Systems have been advanced, including anti-tampering systems. We also became aware that a multihull could capsize, which we had forgotten. It's definitely integrated today! One booster shot is enough!
I take it as something that will make us progress, that will make me progress in the way I manage the boat alone and anticipate things. But it won't be in apprehension because, when the boat capsized, the conditions weren't dantesque. We had been in much more agitated situations and everything was going well. It is therefore not a boat on which there is a fear or a fear in terms of dangerousness.
It's still a fast Ultim boat, flying, complicated to manoeuvre, but quite manoeuvrable on its own. But for that, it's going to take time to take it back in hand, to regain its landmarks and its habits. It's the work of the weeks that make it to the Rhum (NDRL : departure 4 November 2018). We don't have anything too much!
We especially want to go sailing and find the boat and what we've been able to do so far. We're not starting from scratch. It's finally the same boat as a whole. We've only improved the cap and a few details.
Photo credits: Bateaux.com
