The Fives Group – Lantana Environnement team rolled up the Fastnet lighthouse this morning shortly after dawn after 36 hours of technical and tactical ascent, upwind, on a beautiful flat sea and in the sunshine.
Louis and his team, battling with 65-foot VORs and 56-foot IRCs, took advantage of the exceptional weather conditions for this (usually very choppy) sailing area to fine-tune and test their sail settings and combinations. The Fives Group – Lantana Environnement team thus managed to stay about 30 miles behind the foilers during this upwind "ascent."
Louis and his team are now heading towards Cherbourg in a completely different atmosphere: after upwind, downwind! The sky has filled with clouds, but they're now able to open the sails and hoist the main spinnaker, the sail Louis missed so much during the Vendée Globe. In short, it's time for some serious gliding and some serious acceleration!
The IMOCA Fives Group – Lantana Environnement has been steadily accelerating since this morning. At 10:00 a.m. this Monday, they were making 14 knots. Their strategy will be to seek stronger winds in the west before heading back towards the entrance to the English Channel.
This 15- to 17-knot downwind breeze is expected to continue throughout the day and into the night. Enough to maintain the good mood that has been on board since the start!
A respectuous and circular sporting event
The Fives IMOCA is an "upcycled" boat. Thanks to Louis, it lives a 2nd life!
Louis and his team gave a new life to a very damaged IMOCA because of a fire. This refurbishment undertaking was a real technical challenge... that succeeded in only 10 months!
Louis and his team continue to apply this upcycling principle and optimization research with a constant effort on sobriety throughout this Vendée Globe program.
Louis is also very keen on respecting everyone's work and giving a chance.
The Fives Group, a major partner in this Vendée Globe program, has been seduced by such commitment and values, as it shares the same values and responsibilities.
Fives, your partner for a more virtuous industry
For over 200 years, the Group has designed the breakthrough solutions and technologies that make industry what it is. From the first railways to the Eiffel Tower, through the spatial conquest, Fives always spearheaded the industry of the future. Pioneering decarbonization, the Group is an unconditional partner of the industry's energy transition. Through digitization, the promotion of a circular economy and the development of new processes and new energy sources, Fives puts its technological leadership to its customers' service.
www.fivesgroup.com