A legendary boat
When it was launched in 1999, this Finot design was a compendium of innovations. Pivoting wing mast, 3.2 t canting keel, circular mainsheet helm right down to the mast chainplates, lift-up and interchangeable rudders. With this innovative 60-footer, Michel Desjoyeaux wins the Vendée Globe 2000 in 93 days. He won the round-the-world race again, in the hands of Vincent Riou, with a time of 87 days. He then switched to the Roxy colors, skippered by Anne Liardet and Samantha Davis.
In 2011, she became the property of a Polish citizen, who moored her in the Château marina in Brest. She will not leave her pontoon for 13 years.
An abandoned boat, but a paid berth
This legend of ocean racing then began his way of the cross. Abandoned, the boat remains in port and is no longer maintained. But port dues continue to be paid.
Several sailors tried to negotiate a purchase, but without success.
It was then that Kieran, skipper of Class40, found a compromise on this boat that made him dream:
"I'm from Brest, and I've been seeing this boat abandoned for several years now. It's a project and a boat that I've dreamed of since I was a child. It hurt my heart to see it like that. The project slowly matured, and several people tried to buy it, but to no avail.
It's part of the ocean racing heritage. We had to save it.
I met several people who were willing to get involved in the project. We had to work hard with the owner to find a fair deal. "
A major restoration project
After 13 years without a fairing, this fallen glory needs attention:
" The main objective was to get her out of the water quickly. We're going to do it this mid-June 2024, and then we're going to put her on display at the Brest Maritime Festivals, which take place around July 14, 2024, to inform visitors that the boat is going to be reborn. We'll then set about finding funding and materials."
And the project promises to be long and complex. After all these years of neglect, the boat has been stripped of its fittings.
" We weren't safe from the mast falling. The standing rigging is dead, as are the sails, the current, and many items are missing on board. The canting keel is bound to give us a few surprises when we get out of the water. But we're going to make sure we keep everything that can be reused.
The aim is to create a real dynamic around the boat, around ocean racing and the people of Brest. I'd like to take the start of the next Route du Rhum in the Mono class, which would be a nice symbolic gesture."
