The Fives Group – Lantana Environnement skipper has crossed the Back to Base line at 10:38PM last night after 12 days and 5 hours racing on a average of 14,20 knots. This transatlantic played out in 2 different times: at first, racing with a wonderful fight at the forefront of the IMOCAs, then it was all about managing, with success, issues that could have gone awry. Finally, Louis Duc was smiling when reaching the Lorient La Base docks, happy to have learned further wisdoms before the Vendée Globe.
Louis Duc: "It's a wonderful transatlantic, crossing the North Atlantic sea this way and this season of the year allows to sail more easily, with depressions. These situations are rather uncommon. On East-West transatlantics, we're carried by the trade winds, that's not quite the same thing! Here, we have strong winds, a rough sea, it's all looking like the Southern Seas... I've never been there yet so what do I know, but it really looks like it a lot!"
See what you are capable of
"This race also allowed to see how the boat would behave in such environment.
It was interesting to see which sail to put up, how one can switch from one sail to another... because this is not the same thing changing a spinnaker on a calm or rough sea, especially if you're boat is rocked like crazy. It allowed us to see what you can do, at which speed you can go. And more than anything, which sail will last the longest."
Learning to have a good rythm
"It's not the end all be all to go fast for a couple hours, you must perform for several days: you need your boat safe and fast. Here, I learned a lot. You must evaluate your performance level in such conditions and this race has been a great learning experience for such thing."
In the end, Louis is happy with his race despite the breakages*. Happy to be back on land whatever the rankings, because he fought well: against his competitors at first, then against elements. Relieved to have saved his mast and thrilled to learn even more. New steps towards the Vendée Globe.
* Ripped Gennaker after a week racing: Louis had to climb up his mast, at night, to take it down around the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. Then low-shrouds torn 4 days ago, repaired thanks to some made by Louis idea.
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