The case brought to court
Although François Gabart is on the list of participants in the Route du Rhum 2022 in the Ultim class, the class has still not issued him his measurement certificate. With the start of the transatlantic race coming up on November 8, and six months of negotiations having failed to produce a solution, Kresk has decided to take the matter to the Paris court. It is therefore the courts that will decide whether the skipper will be able to take part in the race next autumn.
"The only blockage we are facing today is that of the competing shipowners gathered within the Ultim Class. I regret their incomprehensible position and do not despair of seeing the Class return to reason so that the millions of enthusiasts, of which I am a part, can follow the Route du Rhum with boats and sporting performances that have always made us dream, says Didier Tabary, CEO of the Kresk Group and owner of the boat.
Reminder of the facts
In March 2022, François Gabart and his team highlighted the fact that the Ultim class refuses to homologate his boat as such . It calls into question the architectural design of the SVR-Lazartigue trimaran, which has chosen to integrate the maneuvering and steering area into the central hull, below deck.
Since then, everyone has commented on the situation, owners, skippers, class representatives and the situation remains sterile. However, the SVR-Lazartigues team has obtained several validations of conformity from experts and measurers. This information was confirmed by Vincent Lauriot-Prévost .
"We have been very transparent from the early stages of the boat's construction. Our boat has been certified several times as compliant by competent and impartial authorities. I hope to take part in the Route du Rhum among the hundred or so boats expected, in the best spirit of the race", comments François Gabart, skipper of the SVR-Lazartigue Trimaran.
