A newcomer to Port La Foret
Since the beginning of the year, rumours had been spreading about the future of the former Hugo Boss. Who to take up the sharp Open 60 with its design if distinctif?? What a surprise it was when we saw the imposing matt black hull with yellow rudders sticking out into the channel of the Finisterian port of Port La Forêt.
Previously based in Portsmouth, in the south of England, what is he doing in our small Breton port, certainly the cradle of ocean racing? That's all it took to whet our curiosity.
Moored alongside the other IMOCAs in the port - Groupe Apicil, Pure or Arkea Paprec - the monohull was not named after its sponsor. It retains its distinctive style, but no logo has replaced the old one. Technicians are already busy preparing the boat for the next training sessions.
Two skippers for ex-Hugo Boss
After a few phone calls and questions to the technical teams on site, we finally learn that there will not be one skipper, but two. Like Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier who co-skipped the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild.
They are Charlie Enright and Mark Towill. For those who don't know them, the first one is an American sailor who has been skipper of several Volvo Ocean Race campaigns. Team Alvimedica, which he co-founded for the 2014-2015 edition and Vestas 11th Hour Racing in 2017-2018. The second navigator - also an American - is his long-time friend and was his co-skipper on his two round the world voyages with stopovers.
"540"https://media.boatnews.com/bateaux/31314/imoca-hugo-boss-mark-towill-3.jpg"405"Port La Forêt is a key centre of ocean racing and the heart of the IMOCA class. It is therefore natural that we train and sail there with a view to possible participation in the TJV, explains Mark Towill, co-Skipper 1 Degree.
The presence on board of members of the Mer Concept team leads us to believe that François Gabart's company could support the two American skippers in their project. Indeed, during sea outings, the assistance zodiacs were those of Macif's teams. Is it a simple one-time service or a long-term partnership?
The team has already planned the construction of a new IMOCA, launched in 2021. The latter would be specifically developed for The Ocean Race - the new version of the Volvo Ocean Race - which now plans to sail the 60-foot Open around the world with stopovers, but with crew.
