Fabrice, you're new to the Multi50 class, what's your background?
I've been working on this multihull project for 17 years now. After creating and developing a laboratory specialising in natural health for 30 years, I moved away from this activity in 2017 to devote myself fully to the Planet Warriors trimaran and the foundation that will bear the same name.
This foundation, which will be created in the coming months, will have the mission of developing R&D platforms for the capture and reprocessing of C02. The trimaran will be the ambassador of this cause, which will be our next ecological challenge.
Why a Multi50?
In 30 years, I have sailed all kinds of multihulls for regattas, catamarans and sorting from 18 to 60 feet. I have had the chance to take part in several Grand Prix races in ORMA trimarans. I have also been the owner of Biscuits Cantreau, the former Formula 40 of Jean Le Cam.
In recent years, I've concentrated on the J22 and Multi 50 circuits, notably aboard Gilles Lamiré's trimaran. The dynamism and impetus given to this class has reinforced my idea of developing my own Multi50 project.
Could you show us your boat?
It is a trimaran designed by VPLP and built in 2020 at Persico in Italy. We opted for a K-shaped structure, which is very light.
The cockpit is currently in "Grand Prix" mode, i.e. fully open, with just a protection at the piano, which is very much in front of the boat. The Harken winches are coupled to two coffee grinder columns, and the companionway is located aft of the central hull just in front of the main helm.
We will take advantage of the delivery to Brittany to define the future design of our cockpit protection, which will be installed for offshore races. The Multi 50 class imposes a one-design for the foils, so we all have the same.
This helps to maintain a class spirit and keep operating budgets down.
What is the program for the coming months?
Assisted by Thierry Duprey de Vorsent, who has a wealth of experience within the Gitana and Banque Populaire teams, we are finishing the preparation and testing of the boat in Marseille.
Thierry is assisted by a dream-team composed of Mayeul Riffet, Pierre Loquen Huchet, Alan Pennaneac'h and Antoine Lauriot-Prevost, all from the multi or class40. We're going to bring Planet Warrior to Saint-Malo in a few weeks time, in order to prepare for the 2021 season.
My aim is to skipper the multihull for a few seasons before passing the torch to a young skipper. It's important to me not to sail empty, but for a cause. And the "Planet Warrior" foundation will have to respond to the new ecological challenges that will come our way.
