Construction sites, compliance
In ocean racing, winter is usually dedicated to repair and optimization work. After a Route du Rhum 2022 that left its mark, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI entered the yard in Lorient on December 7. The team will be able to study the breakage of the central daggerboard, which forced Armel le Cléac'h to turn back in the middle of the race.
According to our colleagues, it is a completely different shipyard that should receive all the attention. Arriving in Concarneau, her home port, on November 28, 2022, SVR-Lazartigue has in turn entered the winter refit. After a new refusal to validate the conformity of his boat by World Sailing, the international sailing authority, François Gabart and his sponsor are ready to modify the deck plan of the blue trimaran. As a reminder, the dispute between the Breton sailor and the Ultim class forbids him to join the class, and therefore to participate in the various races of the circuit. It would be a pity if such a high performance boat was confined to record series, like Spindrift, which is too big to join the class. To be continued.
Winter records for others
Some have chosen to dedicate their winter to record attempts. For example, Charles Caudrelier, Franck Cammas and their team are waiting for a good weather window to set off on the Jules Verne Trophy from December 22, 2022. The reduced crew of 6 sailors hopes to beat the record held by Francis Joyon since 2017.
For Thomas Coville, it is also time for records. Between January and April 2023, the skipper of Sodebo Ultim'3 will embark on no less than four transatlantic races, including two record attempts. These will be east-west, single-handed and then crewed on the Discovery Route, between Cadiz and San Salvador, in the Bahamas. The two return transatlantic races will also have the same format, solo and crewed. If the weather conditions are right, the team could try to win the record for the greatest distance covered in 24 hours.
