Coordinated action
It was 11:30 on this May weekend when CROSS Etel received an emergency call: The Red Cigar has just laid flat on the water, as a direct consequence of the loss of her keel bulb. Five people on board, including the skipper, find themselves in a delicate situation.
At 1:30 pm, the SNSM launch from Quiberon was on site, quickly joined by the Belle-Ile launch. Twelve rescuers, three swimmers, a RIB and a yachtsman with a catamaran took part in the operation. The passengers were evacuated, the boat righted and then towed, before being able to make its own way to Kernével in Larmor-Plage.
We were incredibly lucky that the accident took place in clement conditions, which prevented this ocean racing legend from sinking.
Cigare Rouge: an impressive track record
The rescued boat is no ordinary sailboat. Red Cigar it's the old Sofap-Helvim Group the first Imoca built by CDK Technologies for the 1992 Vendée Globe. Led by Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, she finished 2nd in this first race.
The monohull will take part in three other Vendée Globe races:
- 1996: 6th with Catherine Chabaud ( Whirlpool-Europe 2 ) ;
- 2000: 10th with Joe Seeten;
- 2004: 13th with Karen Leibovici.
It was also on this boat that Ellen MacArthur discovered 60-foot sailing, during a return trip from OSTAR.
An in-depth refit in 2018
Bought as a wreck in La Rochelle by Jean-Marie Patier, the yacht was refitted at the V1D2 yard. The original keel is replaced by a Foncia the rudders, electronics, internal structure and sail plan are also new, but the mast has remained the same since 1992.
In early 2025, it was taken over by skipper Sidney Gavignet for operation from Lorient.
