“It’s really a great race, rich and complete, which allows you to get back into the swing of things: it’s a return to school, for the skippers, as well as for the team!” The Fives Group – Lantana Environnement skipper was beaming this Sunday on his return to shore after a superb 5th place in the last event of this Lorient event: the Tour de Groix.
The Fives Group – Lantana Environnement team made a superb start at the head of the fleet. Louis and his crew then controlled their rivals, containing the foilers' attacks until the edge of the reaching, where they inevitably accelerated. But the daggerboarded Imoca, Fives Group – Lantana Environnement, finished in a very fine 5th place!
Louis Duc: "We got off to a good start, we managed to position ourselves well upwind of the fleet to stay in the lead until the tip of the island. Then we saw the magnificent spectacle of the foilers flying on the reach. But the whole team maneuvered well, everyone was on the settings, even the guests. Everyone was smiling, it's perfect!"
A complete test!
The Norman skipper particularly enjoys the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération: a comprehensive event that allows him to reconnect with competition before the big fall event: "The races require us to take several starts; you have to be on the ball and fast from the very first seconds. The 48-hour race is a fleet start and an intense race with strategy, adjustments, and more. The same goes for the Tour de Groix. It's truly excellent training! I'm also very happy to be able to take some of my teammates and crew on board for this event and share with them a little of what we experience at sea. It's truly an event not to be missed!"
The rest of the schedule is packed for Louis and his team, who will return to Normandy early next week. In about ten days, Masa Suzuki will return to France, and the duo will set off on their qualifying course for the Transat Café l'Or.
It will then be high time to start finalizing everything to reach Le Havre on October 16!
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