Crédit Mutuel is a round-nosed David Raison plan - strongly inspired by Ian's Mini Proto - with which he had shone for two seasons on the Mini circuit. Launched in August, the boat - yet in the process of being made more reliable - has defied the odds, over 100 miles ahead of its competitors. So is the future of scows?? Time will tell.
As soon as they leave the Channel, Ian and Adrien decide to take a north-western route. A decision that is bearing fruit, unlike in the IMOCA class, as the duo remain in parallel with the frontrunners as the fleet veers south in the Bay of Biscay.
For the first four days, Leyton and Aïna Enfance & Avenir lead the fleet, but quickly at the latitude of Lisbon, on the long reaching edge to reach the high pressure, Crédit Mutuel is the fastest in the fleet. In 24 hours, the Lipinski-Hardy tandem gained 5 places and took the lead on 2 November.
Crédit Mutuel is at ease in the wind, and goes so fast that it explodes the speed record in Class40 november 5th: 408 miles in 24 hours, at an average speed of 17.08 knots.
"The boat's moving by itself, we've found the right sail, we're just watching it." says Ian Lipinski the next morning. "We're under a medium spinnaker with one reef and two reefs in the mainsail. We're on all fours, moving around a lot, trying not to hurt ourselves. It's a little wet on deck, but I don't think it has anything to do with the guys behind us."
Despite a very short set-up time, Crédit Mutuel and its two brilliant skippers won hands down.
"It's extraordinaire?! I admit I don't fully realize encore?! I'm really happy to offer this victory to the Crédit Mutuel, it's a great reward for the trust they have placed in me. The project was audacious, they committed themselves by giving us carte blanche, I'm very happy that they are rewarded today hui?!" said Ian Lipinski upon his arrival.
