The Rolex Fastnet Face
The 48th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, which started on August 3rd, was an opportunity for the IMOCAs to train for their next big event, the Transat Jacque Vabre next November. There were 20 60-foot open monohulls - including 11 foilers - participating in the Anglo-Saxon race, racing in doubles, as will be the case in autumn.
All eyes were focused on the new generation of foilers, and particularly Charal, led by Jeremie Beyou and Christopher Pratt. It was also the first navigation of the brand new Arkea-Paprec, by Sébastien Simon, which he co-skipped with Vincent Riou. It was also Kevin Escoffier's first race as the new IMOCA PRB skipper (skippered until now by Sébastien Simon under the colours of Arkea, before receiving his boat).
After 2 days 1 hour 32 minutes and 28 seconds, the IMOCA black and silver Charal won the race. PRB took second place and Banque Populaire X - skippered by Clarisse Crémer who was doing his first race with Armel le Cléac'h - completed the podium. A great performance for the drift monohull.
The Transat Jacques Vabre
There are 34 IMOCAs registered for the Transat Jacques Vabre, which will start on Sunday 27 October. Among which 6 IMOCAs of the latest generation will be launched: Charal by Jérémie Beyou (co-skipper Christopher Pratt), the aDvens by Thoms Ruyant, built in Italy, the new Hugo Boss - 7 e named after - Alex Thomson's VPLP design made in England, the brand new Arkea Paprec by Sébastien Simon (co-skipper Vincent Riou), Charlie Dalin's Apivia and finally that of the Japanese Kojiro Shiraishi, Charal's sistership.
All will be keen to beat Jean-Pierre Dick and Yann Eliès' 2017 record in 13 days and 7 hours. The duets will be varied, a mix of experienced and pledge sailors, such as Clarisse Crémer and Armel le Cléac'h on Banque Populaire X, Miranda Merron and Halvard Mabire - husband and wife in the city - who will sail together for the first time in IMOCA, Nicolas Troussel who will sail with Jean Le Cam, five-time world champion Damien Seguin accompanied by the last winner of La Solitaire Urgo Le Figaro Yann Richomme and Samantha Davies who will team up with Paul Meilhat, winner of the Route du Rhum.
The Ocean Race
11th Hour Racing (formerly Hugo-Boss) is currently under construction in Port La Forêt. The whole team is working on preparing the boat for the Transat Jacques Vabre: putting it in the colours of the project, installing the sails... As a reminder, the boat will be skippered by Charlie Enright and Mark Towill, engaged in the next Ocean Race.
Paul Meilhat has clearly announced its ambition to participate in The Ocean Race, a crewed round the world race that will start in 2021. After Boris Herman and the 11th Hour Racing project, there are now three official IMOCA projects.
