Armel Tripon reports on the construction of Les P'tits Doudous
Launched in September 2023, construction of Armel Tripon's IMOCA yacht, Les P'tits Doudous, using carbon fiber decommissioned by the aerospace industry, is progressing. The skipper gave an update on December 20, announcing that after 3 months of work at Duqueine Atlantique, the hull had been baked and deck work was about to start on this sistership to Malizia.
The Transat opens its doors to cargo yachts
OC Sport, organizer of The Transat CIC race, has announced the opening of an additional class. Cargo yachts will be able to take part in the transatlantic race between Lorient and New York, with a ranking combining crossing time, tons transported and fuel consumption.
Bénéteau continues its partnership with the Vendée Globe
Bénéteau renews its partnership with the Vendée Globe for the 2024 edition. The brand will be celebrating 20 years of collaboration with the event, supplying fourteen models from the Antares and Swift Trawler ranges to welcome the organization's media, cameramen and photographers at the start of the race on November 10, 2024, as well as at the arrivals of the 40 competitors. The Wellcraft brand, part of the Beneteau Group, will also be present with its Wellcraft 355 and 435.
Limits on new boats in the Mini class
At its general meeting, the Classe Mini voted to freeze new production boat designs from 2024. The decision is complemented by a progressive limitation of new constructions, to just 25 from 2024 and potentially down to 0 by 2030, in order to enhance the value of existing boats and limit the environmental impact of the class.
The Famous Project unveils its crew for the RORC Transatlantic Race
Alexia Barrier's crew will be taking part in the transatlantic race organized by the RORC, due to start on January 7, 2024. Her MOD70 will line up alongside 3 other boats in the class. She unveiled the crew line-up: Alexia Barrier, Dee Caffari, Elodie-Jane Mettraux, Marie Riou and MOD70 specialist coaches Tom Dawnson, Jeff Mearing and Sidney Gavignet.
Champion clubs in France
The FFVoile has unveiled the list of champion clubs for 2023, based on 3 principles: animation, mobilization and performance. They are :
- SNO Nantes (44), winner in the "Dinghy" category
- SR Antibes (06), winner in the "Habitable" category
- Brest Bretagne Nautisme (29), winner in the "Sport Multihulls" and "Windsurf" categories
- Club Voile St Quentin - CVSQ (78), winner in the "Keelboat Voile Légère" category
- SN Sablais (85), winner in the "Radio-controlled Sailing" category
- Hyères Kitesurf Association -HKA (83) winner in the "Kiteboard" category
Meanwhile, Marseille-based CNTL was awarded the title of French IRC Club Champion by the Yacht Club de France.
SP80 tests its first wing
The boat designed by the SP80 team to break the water speed record has passed a new milestone. It has completed its first kite propulsion tests, following towed trials. The team validated the boat's maneuverability, but did not set any speed targets, as the size of the kite was not yet definitive.
