The skipper Fives Group – Lantana Environment still battles in the 50th, along the ice exclusion zone… Ice that does not respect this limit defined by the race direction of the Vendée Globe, since an iceberg of a hundred meters long was seen by three of the skippers of the group in which Louis is currently working. “I passed 6 miles from him but I didn’t see him!” The risk zone seems to be in its wake while Cape Horn has never been so close…“I should double it on January 7th.”
It was a chilling day yesterday for Louis and his close competitors who passed by a very big iceberg. More fear than harm though... The frozen monster and its potential “growlers”, these “ice cubes” that detach from icebergs and float between two waters in their wake, have remained at a distance from the fine hulls of the Imoca.
“It was not a big surprise actually, because we were on alert, thanks to the race direction and in constant contact with them and the CLS (satellite surveillance). We had positions observed by Imarsat and it is known that the icebergs drift at about 1 knot. But depending on the date when the position was raised (12 or 24 hours) there could be a margin of uncertainty. Since we were all on standby, it was okay.
I passed 6 miles from the iceberg approached by Sébastien Marsset, Éric Bellion and Conrad Colman, but I did not see it. No growlers either!”
The routine of the Pacific
5 to 6°C outside and in water. 11° C, at best, inside the Imoca: it’s not ideal for soaking up the cold sweat, but the "routine" of the Pacific has however regained its rights as early as last night.
“I compose to the best of my ability to find the best performance compromise with the sails I have. I try different configurations and I manage to stay in the group, it works pretty much.
And for the autopilot, as I no longer have “wind mode” (function that allows the pilot to follow the shifts of the wind, editor's note) since the first week of racing, I have my finger on the control as often as possible. I’m a little bit off, too. I’ve always been a little bit like that…”
Restful, but long
Louis begins his 13th day in the Pacific: “It’s a bit long because the boat is not 100%. It’s great to be in regatta mode with our small group of competitors, but it’s frustrating not being able to attack. And then we have calm weather conditions, which is good to preserve the already proven material... It’s relaxing, but long!”
The turn of Code 0
So, Louis takes care of his boat and sails. This morning, it is the turn of Code 0 (multipurpose mainsail) to go through the "repair" box: "there are quite a few points of weakness on the fall, which I can fix quite easily without unrolling the sail. But there are also impacts in the middle. To do that, I will have to be able to spread Code 0 on the bridge: it will be for after Cape Horn in a calm zone.”
See you on Tuesday
Cape Horn…3rd and final course of this round the world trip. Mythical cape that all sailors dream of doubling at least once in their life. 4 days away for Louis: “it’s planned for January 7th but I don’t know yet if I could get close to it, or if it will be day or night…”
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