For Vincent Riou, the last edition of the Vendée Globe ended prematurely after a collision with a UFO after only 16 days of sailing on his IMOCA PRB. After digesting the disappointment, the skipper and his sponsor want to look to the future. Indeed, it has been rumored for several days that Vincent Riou would be moving to the Ultim' category. And it is now confirmed, as PRB has just indicated in a press release.
Vincent Riou on the Ultim' circuit
After four participations in the Vendée Globe and a victory in 2005, Vincent Riou is now on the giant trimaran circuit. He is not forgetting the Vendée Globe, but is taking advantage of the opportunity offered by Thomas Coville to take over the multihull Sodebo . He now wishes to participate in the Ultim' solo round the world race, which will take place in 2019 and in which 4 skippers are already registered: François Gabart, Armel le Cléac'h, Thomas Coville and Yves le Blévec. To discover his future multihull, Vincent Riou will participate alongside Thomas Coville in the Ultim' race against the Queen Mary next June, The Bridge.
"There are two things that stimulate me from a sporting point of view. It's the Vendée Globe, because going back there again would be a great challenge and an enormous satisfaction if it's successful. And there is also the Ultim circuit. Just after his arrival from the Round the World race, Thomas offered me to take over his boat. I was in the middle of thinking about what to do next. The Ultim circuit interests me a lot, because I like multihulls, which I have done in the past, especially on the ORMA circuit, and then there is this solo race around the world that will take place in 2019. It's a big challenge, something totally new. It is extremely exciting from a sporting point of view and I really want to be one of the pioneers. So I have chosen to go down this road for the time being and I am putting all my energy and time into gathering around me the company or companies that will want to accompany me in this new communication territory explains Vincent.
A new sponsor for the Ultim' project
The Breton skipper is therefore looking for one or more new sponsors to carry out his new project. Because PRB wants to continue its history with the Vendée Globe, and "nowhere else" according to Jean-Jacques Laurent, President of PRB, who fully supports Vincent's approach.
"PRB has extremely strong ties with Vincent. We have been his partner for 14 years. Vincent brought us our 2nd Vendée Globe victory and many other victories on the IMOCA circuit. He is a complete sportsman and an outstanding personality. The whole company has shared intense emotions with him. We understand his desire to change circuit, because sailing is a field of multiple expression and we can only encourage him in this approach. If his project succeeds, which we hope it will, it will be time for us to see with whom we will do the next Vendée Globe says Jean-Jacques Laurent.
PRB continues on the Vendée Globe with Vincent Riou as technical advisor
PRB, Vincent Riou's sponsor for the past 14 years, does not intend to stop participating in the Vendée Globe and affirms its desire to see PRB at the start of the next IMOCA Round the World Race in 2020.
"A lot of people are asking us about the next step. These are legitimate questions as we are a major player in the Vendée Globe. Our involvement in this race is almost 25 years old. The history of the company is very much linked to the Vendée Globe and there is no reason for it to stop. This is the wish of our employees and this is what motivates this commitment explains Jean-Jacques Laurent.
The IMOCA PRB (VPLP/Verdier design) launched in March 2010 will be at the start of a 3 e Vendée Globe under the PRB colors.
"We know the potential of this boat. We will certainly make some modifications to make it even more competitive, but for the moment, nothing is decided. We are taking our time and we are thinking about it with Vincent who knows the boat perfectly and is very aware of the technology. He is and will remain our advisor on these issues continues Jean-Jacques Laurent.
