Paprec Arkea has taken its first steps
A few weeks after her launch in Lorient, Yoann Richomme's new IMOCA, Paprec-Arkea, made her first tacks this Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The skipper and his crew have quickly taken control of their new boat to reach 25 knots of speed and make beautiful images of drone with the IMOCA in full flight. This first navigation, according to the images, delighted the crew.
A new racing program for Romain Pilliard
Romain Pilliard on his trimaran Use It Again, figure of the circular economy, announces a new campaign for 2023-2027. He will participate in several solo and double-handed races in the Atlantic, transatlantic races such as the 2024 Quebec Saint-Malo and the 2026 Route du Rhum. He will also attempt to break the round-the-world record in reverse, this time solo.
At the same time, he launched Use It Again Youth, a racing and awareness program for young people. His son Titouan Pilliard, 17 years old, is going to recover an ocean racing boat to renovate it according to the same principles as Use It Again. He will participate in the Route du Rhum 2026.
Guyot Environnement heads for Itajai
While the IMOCA crews still competing in The Ocean Race are fighting a battle of speed in the Deep South to reach Itajai in Brazil, Guyot Environnement, which had to abandon the longest and hardest leg, has returned to the sea. In less than 10 days, Benjamin Dutreux, Robert Stanjek and their team have repaired their IMOCA boat which suffered structural damage. The crew left Cape Town on March 16, 2023 around 10:30 am. They should reach Brazil in two weeks, sailing in convoy mode on this 3,600 mile course.
IMOCA 24-hour record
The Ocean Race participants have taken advantage of the conditions in the southern seas to improve on the 24-hour IMOCA distance record on several occasions. Pending validation by the WSRR under the colors of Holcim PRB, the record would be 594.82 miles, or an average of 24.78 knots.
Thomas Ruyant launches his IMOCA For People
The northern skipper Thomas Ruyant has launched his new IMOCA For People on March 16, 2023. It is an Antoine Koch and Finot Conq design conceived for the victory in the Vendée Globe 2024. This new boat is more suited to the southern seas and will provide more comfort and protection for the sailor.
SEC HAYAI's victory over the Globe40
After 8 legs and 9 months of racing, the Dutch team SEC HAYAI formed by Frans Budel and Ysbrand Endt crossed the finish line in Lorient of the Globe40 this Wednesday, March 15, 2023. With this second place on the final leg, the sailors have won the first edition of this round-the-world race with stopovers reserved for Class40 boats. Having left Grenada on February 24, the competitors had 3,600 miles to cover on this transatlantic return journey to Lorient. After a week of being stuck in the mud, they went through a series of lows with gusts of up to 60 knots. This leg proved to be the hardest in terms of weather.
Charlie Dalin switches to Macif
Charlie Dalin announced on the stage of the Sailorz Festival, during the last Parisian performance of the tour, that his new IMOCA would carry the colors of Macif. For this new 4-year program, the collective will remain the same, only the name will change. This new boat, whose technical part is provided by Mer Concept, will be launched in June 2023.
