Boats

Major Splashes
Big week here in France for the Imoca circuit, since two French-built Farr-designed open 60s were launched. You remember that this winter I had told you about Jeremie Beyou, the talented Figaro skipper (hat trick in 2005, by winning 3 events out of 3 in the solo French championship) whose sponsor agreed to build a 60 ?
Well, he was the first one to splash, since his brand new Delta Dore hit the water on Monday in Cherbourg (the boat was built in 9 months at JMV shipyard, where Mari Cha IV came to life). "It looks great, a real race boat, a weapon", told me the discreet Jérémie, a guy not used to making thunderous statements. The boat shows a chine (which one would have expected), is very wide (around 6 meters, but the actual figure has not been disclosed) and will be fitted with a 3 spreaders rotating mast. Not a real wingmast though, as Jérémie reckons they're not great under reefed main, or when sailing upwind. Can't wait to see the rocketship sail with everything on!

Now two days later, in Brittany this time, it was Vendée Globe winner Vincent Riou's turn to celebrate the birth of his PRB war machine. General shapes are very similar to Delta Dore's - no surprise here - but you'll notice that the back of the cockpit is closed here, due to the presence of the long curved mainsheet traveler's rail. It already was a trademark of the previous PRB. As previously mentioned, Vincent's boat does sport a wingmast, complete with deck spreaders: an efficient solution downwind, also one that's easy to put in place (less shroud business to take care of).

You also may have heard that Mike Golding has signed an order form for a new Owen - Clarke 60… Yann Eliès (Jules Verne holder) goes for a Finot design built at Multiplast, while Alex Thomson chose the same office but will build his boat in England. There's more coming, I'm told… so you'll be informed of the latest developments soon.

Jocelyn Blériot
Course Au Large

Pics : Delta Dore thanks to Guilain Grenier, and PRB thanks to Benoît Stichelbaut

09/12/06