Made in Port la Forêt
This 60-footer is one of five VPLP-Verdier models built in the 2010s. Built by the CDK yard, Michel Desjoyeaux contributed to its development, bringing the experience he gained after his two Vendée Globe victories. The boat incorporates a number of innovations, including a double-chine hull, gull-wing deck and downwind daggerboards.
Michel takes part in the Route du Rhum 2010, but a less favorable southerly option puts him in 6th place. He then lined up at the start of the Barcelona World Race the same year, accompanied by François Gabart. However, after three weeks of racing and in 2nd position, the crew retired due to a broken masthead.
A podium finish in the Vendée Globe 2016
The former Foncia II is taken over by the Banque Populaire team to enable Armel Le Cléac'h to take part in the 2012 Vendée Globe. Armel proves the boat's potential by finishing 3rd in the Jacques Vabre 2011 and 2nd in the Transat BtB. After a refit and replacement of the daggerboards, Armel takes part in the 2012 Vendée Globe as the favorite. A worldwide regatta ensued between him and François Gabart, with 22 changes of leader. Armel finished 2nd in Les Sables-d'Olonne, just three hours behind François Gabart, establishing the smallest gap between first and second in the history of the race.
Learning to fly with Jérémie Beyou
Jérémie Beyou took over the boat in 2013 and confirmed its potential by finishing 3rd in the Jacques Vabre with Christopher Pratt, then 2nd in the Route du Rhum 2014. In 2016, Jérémie decided to modernize the boat with foils designed by architects Sam Manuard and Nick Holroyd. The work, which took five months to complete at the CDK yard, involved moving the daggerboard shafts and reinforcing the structure to absorb the forces of the foils. Jérémie validates these modifications by winning the New York/Vendée transatlantic race in summer 2016. At the start of the Vendée Globe 2016, he remained in the leading pack, rounding Cape Horn in 6th position despite communication problems limiting his access to weather information. He then made a remarkable comeback in the Atlantic to complete the podium with Alex Thomson and Armel Le Cléac'h.
Improvements and setbacks for Sam Davies
The Initiatives-C?ur team, led first by Tanguy De Lamotte and then by Samantha Davies, takes over this boat. After damage during the 2018 Route du Rhum, Sam is fitting the boat with large foils designed by Guillaume Verdier in April 2019. These appendages, among the largest in the fleet, aim to keep this 2010 model competitive with newer boats. The sail plan is also adapted to the new foils.
An IMOCA rules precedence allowed the team to lower the mast slightly, optimizing safety and competitiveness for older boats. With this configuration, Sam and teammate Paul Meilhat finished 7th in the 2019 Jacques Vabre. Well positioned for the Vendée Globe 2020, she was forced to retire off Cape Town, following a collision with a UFO.
A 5 e world tour for Arnaud Boissières
In 2022, the IMOCA will change skipper to the colors of La Mie Caline, with Arnaud Boissières. Le Sablais' ambition is to complete his 5 e round-the-world race, he has always managed to finish ranked. A long-distance runner, sailing at his own pace with no desire to win, he has changed the bow of his IMOCA to improve its passage through the sea.
The victim of a major collision with a fishing boat during the Azimut Trophy, he had to rebuild several square meters of hull a few weeks before the start.
- Length 18.28 m
- Width 5.7 m
- Draft 4.5 m
- Weight 8.5 tonnes
- Mast height 27 m
- Mast type Mast-wing
- Foils Yes
