A Brit Air and Hugo Boss sistership with two roofs
Built in 2007 by the Multiplast shipyard in Vannes, the IMOCA, now christened Lazare, is a Finot-Conq design, renowned for its robustness on the high seas. DCNS - the defense shipbuilding group - launches the construction of the boat as part of the Filières de Talent project. Marc Thiercelin, runner-up to Christophe Auguin in the 1996-97 Vendée Globe, will be the skipper and will accompany a young talent in his discovery of IMOCA racing in the 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre. The young recruit, none other than Christopher Pratt, will then take the helm for the Route du Rhum 2010.
The IMOCA bilge hull and wing mast DCNS are from the same mold as Generali and Brit Air, while the deck, with its two roofs and two companionways and central maneuvering area, is from Hugo Boss. The keel fin was machined by DCNS using a special process that makes it as light as carbon. The boat is simple and light, with centered weights, no interior fittings and direct-inlet ballast tanks. It is the lightest of the Finot Conq designs.
A first Vendée Globe 2008 that has barely begun
The boat was launched in 2008, just 3 months before the start of the Vendée Globe. Marc Thiercelin dismasted on board on the first night of the race. The 2009 season is not particularly successful for the skipper, with the exception of the Mediterranean Record in 1 day 9 hours. Marc Thiercelin and Christopher Pratt take the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre, but have to retire due to a keel problem.
Optimizations for the Route du Rhum 2018
In 2010, the boat is optimized for participation in the Route du Rhum. The aft structure is lightened, the lifting rudders are replaced by suspended rudders, the cockpit is enlarged and the PBO rig is replaced by carbon. Christophe Pratt finishes the transatlantic race in 8th place.
Marc Thiercelin then embarks former alpine skier Luc Alphand - again for the Filières de Talent program - for the Transat Jacques Vabre 2011. The duo was forced to retire due to energy problems.
A new career as a film star ahead of a Vendée Globe 2016 project
The boat was bought in September 2012 for the needs of the film "En Solitaire" by the producer to shoot the scenes in real-life conditions with François Cluzet, but the boat was actually driven by Alex Pella. In 2013, the boat is bought by Eric Bellion and his project " CommeUnSeulHomme "He will now wear the boat's colors. On board, the sailor will take part in the Vendée Globe 2016 and join Michel Desjoyeaux's Mer Agitée ocean racing team. In 2015, under the advice of the "professor", the boat is completely overhauled, and the steering systems are reviewed and corrected. CommeUnSeulHomme finished 7th in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Britain's Sam Goodchild.
A first place as a rookie for Eric Bellion and a new life with Groupe Apicil
Before the start of the 2016 round-the-world race, the IMOCA enters a refit and demonization program. A new keel is installed, and the cockpit covers and lookout are modified. On the solo round-the-world race, despite rudder damage, Eric Bellion repairs and finishes 9th in the 2017 race and 1st rookie. On his return, the boat is up for sale for 1 million euros. In April 2018, it was bought by Damien Seguin, who renamed it Apicil Group and entrusts preparation to Jean Le Cam's team. The skipper finishes the Route du Rhum in 6th place, then the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre, in duo with Yoann Richomme in 14th place.
Numerous optimization projects to boost performance
Between 2019 and 2020, Damien Seguin is making numerous modifications to his IMOCA, in collaboration with the architectural firm that designed it and Jean Le Cam's yard. The aim is to improve performance. The daggerboards and shafts have been replaced, the ballast tanks modified and the boat lightened by 500 kg. In 2020, a new coachroof and hull manufactured by Multiplat are installed. The cockpit is also modified, as is the steering system, and all rudder, engine and keel cylinder systems are modified, as are the pilot and communication system. The boat is offered for sale during the Vendée Globe at a price of 1.2 million euros.
Damien Seguin, taking part in his first solo round-the-world race, finished in 7th place, and 1st in the daggerboard IMOCa class.
A new Vendée Globe 2024 project and a loan from Banque Populaire
In December 2020, Tanguy Le Turquais bought her for a Vendée Globe 2024 project. While waiting for a sponsor, he leases the boat to Banque Populaire in 2022 after an umpteenth refit, for the start of the season in the hands of Clarisse Crémer, who will be replaced by Nicolas Lunven. He finished 4th in the Guyader Bermuda 1000 Race 2022, then 10th in the Vendée Arctique.
On July 1st, Tanguy Le Turquais launched the boat again under the colors of the association Lazare . The boat was completely rebuilt in 2023 and fitted with a new rig, including a carbon mast, two carbon outriggers and a stainless steel keel from 2016. "I bought her at the top of her evolution. We chose not to fit foils, as it's better with daggerboards. We worked on the ergonomics, to make it easier to use. Damien Seguin had already worked hard on performance. We made a slide for stuffing bags, a more suitable helm seat, and sail stuffing aft. We simplified things without adding too much weight confided the sailor, who has already put his boat up for sale, even before the start of the race.
first round-the-world voyage at the helm of a boat that has been made much more reliable.
