2020 marks the return of the Vendée Globe, as the round the world race reserved for IMOCA boats only takes place every four years. So this year, the winter refit took a little longer than expected. Firstly, because of the health crisis linked to Covid-19, but also because the boats have been reconfigured in single-handed mode and adapted for sailing for more than two months in sometimes very difficult conditions around the world.
A V2 of the VPLP Charal plan
While the aim was therefore to make her more reliable, some took advantage of the opportunity to work on a brand new version of their boat, like Charal, Jérémie Beyou's IMOCA : "In all areas, we've pushed the cap further to improve performance, but without ever sacrificing reliability. We've changed the overall balance of the boat, the bow, the volume of the ballast tanks, the weight distribution, the weight of bulbe?; we've closed down the cockpit more, we've reviewed everything to do with power and electronics, built new foils and the wells that go with them, made a new mast and new sails."
Structural reinforcement for MACSF
Isabelle Joschke, who has not yet qualified for the Vendée Globe, has been carrying out structural reinforcements on her boat MACSF. "These reinforcements were a necessity. This is a 2007 boat that wasn't designed to accommodate foils that bring higher speeds, stronger impacts and higher loads." explains Alain Gautier, team manager of the MACSF project.
Safety and ergonomics for Apivia
For many, the work focused on ergonomics, to improve the comfort of the sailor and life on board. This is notably the case on recent boats, such as Apivia, Charlie Dalin's IMOCA. The foredeck, an area where it is always dangerous to venture, has been secured. The balcony has been revised and deflectors have been added to reduce the water sweep on the deck. Inside, the chart table and rest areas have been improved. Cameras have also been added so that the skipper can see the outside, including better trimming of the sails, observation of the foredeck and a view of the surroundings around the boat.
Heart Initiatives cap changes
On many boats, the roof caps have been lengthened, as is the trend on the latest designs, with very protected cockpits. "We have also worked on ergonomics, in particular with the installation of a fixed cap which allows the cockpit to be closed off right down to the mainsheet rail. Sam thus has a very protected lookout post close to the manoeuvre. As the boat goes very fast, we have to limit the movements" explains David Sineau, team manager of Initiatives Coeur. Sam Davies's IMOCA boat also has a new mast and a new set of sails.
This is also the case for La Fabrique, Alan Roura's boat, which will now be able to sail better protected, as he explains : "In 2016, we didn't have the possibility of covering Superbigou's cockpit properly. It was really tough in the southernmost latitudes. With our new boat becoming a foiler, the speeds and humidity on board have been further increased, as has my vulnerability outdoors. Being wet all the time, I can't stand it plus?! It's essential for me to preserve my physical integrity in order to be as fit, and therefore as efficient, as possible."
More protective caps can also be seen aboard the boats of Fabrice Amedeo (Newrest-Art & Fenêtres), Kevin Escoffier (PRB), Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline-Artisans Artipôle), Stéphane Le Diraison (Time For Oceans), Boris Herrmann (Seaexplorer), Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ) - enter autres?!
New foils for Arkéa Paprec, LinkedOut and Malizia II
While Sébastien Simon's IMOCA has undergone some strengthening and optimisation work, she will above all be fitted with new foils, which will be installed over the next fortnight. As a reminder, these had caused the young skipper a lot of problems in last year's races.
Thomas Ruyant's boat - LinkedOut - will also be fitted with new foils in August. Indeed, the V1 stalled too abruptly once contact with the water was lost. The new plans will be more stable.
Malizia II, now named Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco, Boris Herrmann's IMOCA has also received new, more powerful appendages. With a new bow profile, the German skipper is hoping to gain up to 2 knots of speed in certain conditions.
A new cockpit for LinkedOut
For more comfort on board, the living space on the boat has been redesigned and the team decided to equip the IMOCA with a custom-made ergonomic seat. " We have rethought, reinvented the whole organization of life inside the boat, and around this seat. Position of the swivelling and pivoting screens, instrumentation, doubling of the bunks, we have truly reinvented the interior life cell." explains Laurent Bourgès, Team TR Racing Director. This seat will be placed with its back to the road, a break with the usual practice, but for greater safety.
Upcoming launches
If for some the return to the sea has already taken place, for others the road is a little longer. This is the case for Newrest-Art & Fenêtres (Fabrice Amedeo), Prysmian Group (Giancarlo Pedote), Pure-Best Western (Romain Attanasio), Water Family-Oceania Hotels (Benjamin Dutreux), Bureau Vallée (Louis Burton) or Groupe Apicil (Damien Seguin).
Jean Le Cam (Yes We Cam) also takes the time to prepare his boat, which he knows by heart. Thus, the launch is scheduled for late June, early July. Stéphane Le Diraison, who is undertaking major work on Time For Oceans (installation of foils, new roof, new ballast distribution), expects to leave the yard in mid-June. As for Alexia Barrier (4myplanet), she still has to find the financing to change the keel of her boat, the oldest in the IMOCA fleet.
