Regular results
After retiring three days after the start after dismasting in 2021, Justine Mettraux will once again line up at the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre, but with a different IMOCA. Born under the colors of Charal, her 2018 VPLP design is now ultra-reliable, and Justine has demonstrated great regularity since taking charge of this boat in 2022. 7 e on the Route du Rhum, 7 e on Fastnet, 6 e on the Azimut challenge. And to complete the picture, a leg victory in the Ocean Race, which she raced on the IMOCA 11th Hour Racing Team.
It shows that a well-handled, older-generation boat can keep up with the top names in the IMOCA class.
Winter refit focused on energy and new foils
Back in the water in June, the IMOCA Teamwork.net underwent a winter refit focused on changing the foil wells, which should accommodate new load-bearing plans for the 2024 season, as Justine explains:
"It was a big job, which was tackled in March and has just been completed. We've modified them to accommodate new foils next year, which will enable us to gain in performance on all points of sail and on take-off. The current foils date back to 2018, when foils were first introduced, and there have been a number of developments since then. So this allows us to keep up with the times!
The second big job of the winter was around energy. We tried to anticipate the Vendée Globe so as to have three reliable sources of energy, between the engine, the hydrogenerators, and the solar panels that have been installed. The solar panels, in addition to the hydrogenerators, should enable us to make slightly fewer engine loads than last year. We've also made a few adaptations to the deck fittings, notably to the sheet passages, to make them a little easier.
With a view to the Vendée Globe, we still have some work to do on onboard comfort, but that wasn't our priority over the winter".
A mixed pairing
For this mainly double-handed season, Justine has chosen Julien Villion to accompany her on the Transat Jacques Vabre. A sailor with eclectic experience, he has sailed in Figaro and inshore regattas for several seasons, and has a proven approach to strategy and weather, as Justine confirms:
"We have common interests, both the environment and literature, but Julien is first and foremost a very well-rounded sailor, someone of solid character. When I called on him last year to look after all the performance aspects of the project, I already had the Transat Jacques Vabre in mind."
And the pair have a lot of energy! In August, a few hours after validating their qualification for the Transat Jacques Vabre, they set off again for a 24-hour sail in a north-westerly front to validate their training in breezy conditions, just for the pleasure of validating a session in autumnal conditions.
