Made in LESCONIL
Named Superbigou when it was launched in 2000, this IMOCA is the most atypical of the fleet at the start in Les Sables d'Olonne. Designed by Pierre Roland, it was built in the small port of Lesconil, which is more used to receiving fishing boats than 60-foot boats.
A real alchemy was created between Bernard and the inhabitants of Lesconil, many of them having participated voluntarily in the workcamp. After 3 years of effort, the result is splendid. Due to limited means, Superbigou has to use recycled equipment from other IMOCA boats. The mast is Isabelle Autissier's old one and the rudders are from Bagage Superior (winner of the previous edition with Alain Gautier).
Bernard's first victory is to be able to take the start of the Vendée Globe, just five months after his IMOCA boat was launched. However, he will have to retire in the Canaries, due to recurring autopilot problems.
A succession of victories
Three months after his retirement, Bernard Stamm and his team are going to beat the Atlantic record, held at the time by the yacht Mari-Cha III (45m). They are also taking advantage of this to beat the record for the distance covered in 24 hours, i.e. 469 miles at an average speed of 19.5 knots.
Later, Bernard was to experience the consecration by twice winning Around Alone, the round-the-world race with stopovers, in 2002 and 2006 under the colours of Cheminet Poujoulat .
Two more round-the-world tours
Bought out by a Spanish team, Superbigou renowned We Are Water will finish 9th in the Barcelona Word Race 2010, co-skippered by Cali Sanmarti and Jaume Mumbru.
The boat will be sailing very little between 2012 and 2015, when she will be chartered by Alan Roura to take part in the 2016 Vendée Globe. At just 23 years of age, this skipper has sailed under the colours of The Factory a very nice race, finishing in 12th place.
A first Vendée Globe for Pip Hare
It is in anticipation of taking part in the 2020 Vendée Globe that the British sailor Pip Hare gets it back in 2018. After a 14th place at the 2019 Fastnet, she finished 29th on the last Jacques Vabre, together with Ysbrannt Endt.
Proof that the boat was remarkably built in his small Breton shipyard, the hull has never experienced any major structural problems. With no foils, she has not undergone any major evolution since she was launched in 2000.
Supported by Medallia Pip, a company working in customer experience management, is getting ready to set sail from Les Sables d'Olonne on a very simple IMOCA boat, which should enable her to complete her first Vendée Globe in complete safety.
Medalia - Pip Hare
- Sail number : GBR77
- Former names of the boat: Superbigou-Armor Lux - We Are Water - La Fabrique
- Architect: Pierre Rolland
- Job-site : Bernard Stamm
- Launch date: July 03, 1999
- Width: 5.70m
- Displacement (weight): 9t
- Number of drifts: 2
- Presence of foils: No
- Sail area upwind : 300m2
- Sail area downwind: 580m2
