The IMOCA Fives Group – Lantana Environnement is back in its home port. Louis passed the Ouistreham airlock at 9:15 this morning, to then reach his technical base, at the V1D2 shipyard in Caen. Three days after being forced to abandon his 3rd The Transat CIC while battling in the leading trio of the drifting IMOCAs, Louis Duc remains, as always, positive and constructive: “I am extremely disappointed and frustrated, but that was the only decision to be made for the Vendée Globe. We will optimize this time. I have lots of ideas for improvement and I could also see that the boat had even improved in performance!
Louis Duc, skipper Fives Group – Lantana Environnement: “I am very disappointed and frustrated because it was going well and in the weather conditions that I like the most with depressions that follow each other to negotiate.”
Preserving the boat for the Vendée Globe
“Normally, I would have continued the race by taking the big risk of generating significant property damage. My decision to turn around is directly related to the prospect of preserving the boat for the Vendée Globe.”
Job-list AND offshore
“These three days of convoy to Normandy allowed me to make a new job list. It will of course have to be repaired, but there is not much to do. And we will optimize this time to work on what was planned in July to schedule offshore sailing before June.”
Always better
“There are also many very positive things. The boat gained in performance. Everything that has been put in place this winter works perfectly. And I have some ideas on how to make things even better, including simplifying solo maneuvers.”
In short, as always, the skipper Fives Group – Lantana Environnement keeps only the positive to move forward.
Fives Group – Lantana Environnement team Programme
- 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.
www.fivesgroup.com