The skippers
Nicolas Boidevézi is a thrill seeker, who exercises his talent in the mountains as well as at sea. For more than ten years he has been a professional sportsman. Six years of free ride skiing at a high level and six years at the head of a Mini 6.50 prototype project have enabled him to win 17 podiums, including seven victories. After having completed 3 solo transatlantic races, Nicolas Boidevézi is now embarking on the Imoca circuit, with the Vendée Globe 2016 in his sights.
To carry out his project, he bought an Imoca from the 2007 generation, a Farr design, which participated in the 2012 Vendée Globe, and has been owned by Sébastien Josse, Roland Jourdain, Guillermo Altadill and Alex Thomson. It is none other than the former Hugo Boss, with which Alex Thomson won the 3rd place in the Vendée Globe e place in the last edition of the solo race around the world.
The skipper from Alsace now wants to train and prepare for the Vendée Globe 2016, by participating in the Transat Jacques Vabre. As a reminder, the Coffee Route is very similar to the round-the-world race, except for the descent of the English Channel and the final stretch close to the Brazilian coast.
Ryan Breymaier is one of the most prominent and talented sailors on the shortened American ocean racing circuit. He discovered his passion for the sea while attending St. Mary's University in Southern Maryland. For 10 years, he honed his competitive skills in private races in the United States and the Mediterranean.
In 2008, he moved to Concarneau, France, to pursue his professional career, notably on the Imoca circuit, the top level of ocean racing. But he has also tested many different types of boats, from large multihulls to Class 40s.
In 2010, he participated in the Barcelona World Race, where he finished in 5th place e position. In 2011, he is ranked at the 6th place e place in the Imoca World Championship. He is the first American to be included in this list. In 2012, he won the Atlantic Cup and in 2013, the Transpac Race. In 2004, he was the first Imoca sailor in the New York Barcelona. This American sailor seeks above all to promote ocean racing in the United States and to attract new international sponsors in his discipline.
His objective in this Transat Jacques Vabre is clearly stated: to help his friend prepare for the Vendée Globe, but also to finish among the front runners!
The boat
This boat is one of the most successful on the circuit. Sébastien Josse first took it in hand, then Roland Jourdain finished 1st in the Route du Rhum in 2010 and Alex Thomson 3rd in the 2012/2013 Vendée Globe. This boat set a new Atlantic crossing record in July 2012.
In 2014/2015 Guillermo Altadill and José Munoz finished 2nd in the Barcelona World Race.
Technical specifications
| Class | Imoca |
| Sail number | ENG 719 |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Width | 5,85 m |
| Draft | 4,50 m |
| Displacement (weight) | 8 tons |
| Number of drifts | 2 asymmetrical |
| Height matte | 27,50 m |
| Keel sail | Steel |
| Home port | |
| Architect | Bruce Farr Yacht Design |
| Construction site (builder) | OC Challenges |
| Launch date | 2007 |
| Upwind sail area | 300 m2 |
| Downwind sail area | 561 m2 |
| Source of energy production on board |
Awards
| Race | Skippers | Running time | Ranking |
| Barcelona World Race (31/12/2014) | Guillermo ALTADILL & José MUÑOZ | 89d 11h 47min | 2 |
| New York - Barcelona (01/06/2014) | Guillermo ALTADILL & José MUÑOZ | 14d 06h 55m 17s | 2 |
| Rolex Fastnet Race (11/08/2013) | Alex THOMSON | 2d 19h 29mn 38s | 3 |
| Vendée Globe 2012-2013 (10/11/2012) | Alex THOMSON | 80d 19h 23' 43'' | 3 |
| Transat B to B (05/12/2011) | Alex THOMSON | 4 | |
| Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 (30/10/2011) | Alex THOMSON | 2 | |
| Route du Rhum (31/10/2010) | Roland Jourdain | 13 days 17h 10' 56'' | 1 |
