A wave of financial support
He hardly dared to hope to raise 200,000 euros, but here he is with an amount of 300,000 euros to continue the repairs of his IMOCA, damaged after a fire in 2019, and declared out of service at the time. Louis Duc won his bet by setting up an atypical financing method in which he proposed to those who wished to lend him a sum of money, which he promised to repay afterwards.
Initially, 150 tickets at 1,000 euros were available. In reality, 172 people wanted to invest in the skipper's project, but for legal reasons, the financial ceiling could not exceed 300,000 euros. Touched by this enthusiasm and solidarity around his project, Louis wanted to thank his generous lenders by dedicating the number of his boat to them: 172.
Indeed, in IMOCA, the skipper has the right to choose his number, which is not linked to his measurement certificate. Louis and his team are currently working to optimize the boat, a sistership to Jean Le Cam's, in order to adapt it to the new rules. With these 300,000 euros, the horizon is getting brighter and the launch is approaching fast. Louis now hopes to attract sponsors, thanks to the financing of his project, but also thanks to a fully repaired boat ready to race.
A first partner, the landscaping group Lantana Paysage, has committed itself to his side to allow him to consider a participation in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Marie Tabarly, subject to finding a co-partner.
A human story above all
The motivations of the lenders are diverse and varied, ranging from the desire to give meaning to their financial investment to the joy of participating directly in a Vendée Globe project. Frédéric is one of the 172 lenders and his motivations are numerous. : " Louis and I come from the same area of Normandy, so that's obviously a factor. So I've been following his performances for a long time, I appreciate his sense of innovation that he had put forward with his Class40 Carac."
As a reminder, in 2018, Louis Duc lined up at the start of the Jacques Vabre with one of the first Class40 scow boats. " I also support him because I'm happy that he managed to bounce back from his capsize on the way back from the Transat Jacques Vabre. And he is a skipper that I find very respectful in his commitment. He knows that these are human people who have committed themselves to him, he is responsible and will follow his commitment to the end."
No doubt that after a complicated year 2020, the desire to escape is strong and this kind of project gives the opportunity to encourage such initiatives. To be continued, hoping to see this 2.0 boat in November in Le Havre!
