The Vendée Globe fleet is sliding this morning between the archipelago of the Azores, in its north, and that of the Canary Islands in the south. The wind, strong and unstable since Tuesday evening, begins to weaken while remaining unstable.
With his technical problems repaired, the skipper Fives Group – Lantana Environnement was able to accelerate again yesterday afternoon… Before his spips let go, one after the other. But Louis, he does not let go!
Yesterday afternoon, in a still strong breeze, Louis had returned to good average speeds, until his little spi did not tear. A 2023 sail, not damaged a priori: "there was perhaps a small hitch", assumes the sailor.
I spent 2 hours, stopped, picking up everything
Never mind, Louis immediately sent his big spi! But, in the night, this great and powerful forward sail exploded in a gust. “I spent 2 hours picking up everything, pieces in the water, in the drift and in the air. Everything is on board, the halyards and the end-outside have not moved.
Since then, the wind has changed, with grains. I spent the night under gennaker: it was not so bad. The little spi is repairable: there’s work to do!”
One damage per day is the lot…
These technical constraints are the daily lot of offshore racers. Several other competitors have also had difficulties… The important thing is to manage as much as possible, to continue the race, the journey, the adventure to share.
Fight no matter what: it’s certain!
At 7am this morning, the skipper Normand is in 30th position, 8th of the boats with drifts 70 miles (140 km) from the first. Once again, it’s a round the world race, three months of non-stop racing, H24, 7/7. The main thing is to be able to fight until the end!
Sailing alone around the world is inevitably synonymous with unforeseen, even unpredictable. But if there is one thing we can be sure of, it is that as long as there are solutions to imagine (and Louis has a lot of imagination) to repair and continue his race, he will implement them!
This is the spice of this circumnavigation that must be non-stop and without assistance.
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