For Louis Duc, just like all other candidates to the Vendée Globe, 2024 is the season of all superlatives. It's the end of several years of work and commitment. With a sports programme starting strongly, with a transatlantic in solo... A season where drift IMOCAs will show, at a world tour scale, with no port of call, no assistance, that they fight for real, including the IMOCA* Fives Group - Lantana Environnement skipper.
This season with a big "S" is finally the occasion for Louis Duc to discuss this Vendée Globe 2024 that "could be a turning point for the IMOCA class".
Now Louis Duc's IMOCA is finally in its optimal technical setup. Only remains, before the world tour with no port of call or assistance, to improve the reliability of the boat "without leaving anything to luck".
Going over the boat with a fine-tooth comb
So, for the technical team too, the Vendée Globe is in all minds, in all gestures. "All the sensible parts have been taken apart and reviewed. All wearing spots have been verified.
It's a long and detailed workd", states the skipper. In parallel, the rear ballasts are being repaired and the bridge had to be opened: "it's a big gig". And we won't forget about the bridge painting or the new interior design…
A transatlantic to warm up
However, the first 2024 date comes around quick. And what a date! A solitary transatlantic, in April, in the North Atlantic. "It's a route that shapes up boats and sailors alike. We will sail against the weather, just like the North path on the last Transat Jacques Vabre. We will fight the weather: it's very interesting as it always changes. It's a good training for the Vendée Globe", smiles Louis Duc.
4th in 2008, 2nd in 2016…
This will be the 3rd consecutive participation to The Transat CIC for the Fives Group – Lantana Environnement skipper. A challenge that went rather well for him in Class40, ranking 4th in 2008, then 2nd in 2016. What will it be for this edition? To be seen!
The Norman will use his transatlantic off race to train, with a new technical gig to strengthen the boat. Then will come September with the Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération, a warm-up for the Vendée Globe…
* The Fives Group – Lantana Environnement IMOCA was bought as a wreck by Louis and his associates in 2019. The boat has been fully repaired since then: anything that could be reused, repaired, recycled was, in order to give this 2006 IMOCA a second life. It's now one of the best performers of its generation.
2024: Turning point for IMOCAs?
The skipper Louis Duc, as an experienced observer, thought about the stakes of this Vendée Globe for the IMOCA class and its 2 fleet of foilers and non-foilers: "In 2022 and 2023, drift boats got good results on all races, even the duo ones where boats can be used at their best and therefore, quite a big speed improvement.
It's a good sign for us on this Vendée Globe. Our drift IMOCAs will clearly have a play on this long running solo race. Then, drift boat skippers sail more serenely than foilers. On this round-the-world trip, it will be very interesting to observe how the new foilers fleet and their skippers will perform after a while. If there's a lot of breakages - which I don't hope for at all - it could encourage sailors to back up in the spirit of what Jean Le Cam proposes. If it does happen, it could also lead to go even further and make the boats fly in 2032! Anyway, this Vendée Globe could be a turning point for the IMOCA future!"
Fives Group – Lantana Environnement team Programme
- December 2023 - march 2024: winter workshop
- April 28th 2024: Start of The Transat CIC
- September 12th-14th 2024: Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération
- November 10th 2024: start of Vendée Globe
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.
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