While his future trimaran Ocean Fifty is under construction for 2023, Fabrice Cahierc talks about his project and his ambitions.
What was the genesis of your project?
In 2020, I launched a first Ocean Fifty that I quickly sold to Erwan Leroux, who is currently wearing the colors of Koesio (editor's note: with whom he won the Route du Rhum 2022). Since then, we have launched new studies to develop a new prototype. While sailing as a crew member on different boats of the circuit, I continued to develop this new project by making modifications.
Compared to your first Ocean Fifty, what are the evolutions you chose?
We have again opted for a "K" structure, which will be made of carbon and fiberglass. We have decided to be more suited to heavy weather.
The living quarters have also been redesigned with improved ergonomics. Finally, a lot of work has been done to optimize the aerodynamics and the on-board electronics.
What is the timing of this new project?
The construction work was launched at CDK Technologies at the beginning of May 2022 and the launch is scheduled for spring 2023. We plan to train all summer long in order to be at the start of the next Transat Jacques Vabre, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary.
The objective is of course to also participate in the Pro Sailing Tour over the next three years, with the Route du Rhum 2026 as the highlight.
Your previous boat was built in Italy. Why turn to a French shipyard?
Like our partner, we have a real ambition to be anchored in the region and to echo the active projects of the group. This is why 95% of the suppliers and service providers we work with are based in Brittany.
Explain why you chose to join the Ocean Fifty class again?
Outside of the competition, it is a class that discusses and exchanges a lot. We communicate a lot with each other about the evolution of the rules and our technical knowledge.
We have the same vision of sailing, namely a more responsible management of our sport. In order to limit the arms race and the budgets, the class is implementing a whole series of measures: we are only allowed to change our sails every two seasons, no full carbon construction, the foils are one design.
The 2018 Route du Rhum was won by one of the oldest boats in the class, but one that was still competitive despite this.
Precisely, in addition to these measures taken by the class, you will go further in your approach to sustainable development?
Yes, the boat will be co-named with the Planet Warriors foundation, which is an endowment fund dedicated to research and sustainable development. Concretely, Planet Warriors' mission is to finance R&D platforms in charge of developing disruptive solutions to capture, store and reuse CO2 emitted by humans.
