Manuard's first new IMOCA
For her fourth Vendée Globe entry, Samantha Davies has had a new boat built, a first in her IMOCA career. As a reminder, the English-born sailor is sailing under the colors of the humanitarian association Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, thanks to three main partners: Chocolats du c?ur, K-Line and Vinci Energies.
Initiatives-C?ur 4 is the 3rd design by Sam Manuard, an architect renowned for his innovative rounded-nose designs. It is built by Black Pepper Yachts, using the molds of Armel Tripon's IMOCA yacht, the former Occitane en Provence, now Bureau Vallée. This 60-footer features a scow-type bow - a wide, rounded prow - which increases stability and reduces the risk of foundering. This design allows the boat to sail flatter, enhancing performance and comfort at sea.
Technical evolutions to adapt to the gauge
Construction of Initiatives-C?ur 4 began in 2021, with a launch scheduled for July 30, 2022. The technical team, led by Anne-Claire Le Berre, recovered the boat's carbon envelope before carrying out all non-composite assembly in Lorient. Specific features were incorporated into the structure, notably to adapt to the new 2025 rule: the absence of Nomex in the hull bottoms and foils designed to be more forgiving. The cap was designed by the Initiatives-C?ur 4 design office. All the mechanical systems on board, which are not one-design, were also designed in-house, drawing on the experience of the previous boat.
The navigator has also asked for major work to be carried out on cabin and cockpit ergonomics to protect her during the round-the-world trip.
"There have been a few changes compared with L'Occitane en Provence, notably with the evolution of the foil measurement. The latter no longer fit into the new rules, as they are too big. Initiatives-C?ur will therefore have foils with a new maximum dimension, which will be a little smaller. There are also more subtle differences, notably in terms of hull bottom construction materials, which have also evolved in relation to the new rules. Nomex is forbidden and must be replaced by foam or monolithic. We've also worked on the structure of the keel knot and hull bottom to respond to the case of loading on the heels, which has changed" sam Manuard told us in October 2021 .
A well-born, high-performance IMOCA
In his first major race, the Route du Rhum 2022, Sam Davies finished 28th in the fleet of 38 IMOCA boats. In 2023, a winter refit improves certain systems, such as the rudder lift. The ballast tanks were also brought into service. On her return to the water, the skipper finished 4th in 13 of the Pom'Potes Challenge speed runs with Damien Seguin. She then took 5th place out of 13 in the Guyader Bermuda 1000 Race.
Sam went on to enjoy a magnificent 2023 season, finishing 5th in the Fastnet Race with Nicolas Lunven, the Défi Azimut, the Transat Jacques Vabre with Jack Bouttell, and 6th in the Retour à la base.
Winter work to improve reliability and ergonomics for the Vendée Globe 2024
The technical team has plenty of ideas for improving performance, but as team manager David Sineau points out, "skippers of the latest generation foilers are already not using their machines to 100% of their potential. Sam's ability to set the cursor high will depend above all on reliability and sailing comfort."
The team also worked on structural reinforcements following extensive sailing, as well as tacking, tack crossings and headsail sheet returns. The cushioned seat, molded to the navigator's body, was positioned with her back to the road, resulting in modifications to the locations of the displays and on-board computers. New sails were ordered and received after the New York Vendée, and a pair of foils were ordered in case of need.
Following this winter refit, Samantha Davies finished 3rd in The Transat CIC, from Lorient to New York, and 6th in the Transat New York âeuros Les Sables-d'Olonne. These performances position the woman/boat duo among the favorites for the Vendée Globe 2024.
