The night was as studious as it was active aboard the IMOCA Fives Group – Lantana Environnement, for Louis Duc and Marie Tabarly, competing in the Défi Azimut.
The Glénan archipelago, the Pointe de Penmarch, Audierne Bay... all the way to the Chaussée de Sein, the first course marker of this "48-hour" race, which they rounded late in the night. In a light breeze, the duo negotiated each wind shift to optimize their trajectory.
This morning, the battle is, and remains, tight within the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération fleet. The competitors are tacking upwind, against the wind, to reach the second waypoint of this approximately 250-mile loop.
The Imoca Fives Group – Lantana Environnement is in 8th position this morning, second daggerboard boat, 1.5 miles from "Café Joyeux" (Benjamin Ferré's former "Monnoyeur"). The breeze, still light this morning, is expected to strengthen a little at midday before dying down again in the afternoon. They will have to wait until tonight to benefit from a significant strengthening of the wind.
Until then, concentration and fine-tuning remain the rule. They still have 160 miles of a beautiful neck-and-neck regatta to negotiate!
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