A week ago, the Vendée Globe fleet had just set sail from Les Sables d'Olonne for its round-the-world voyage… Eight days later, the solitaries are already battling off the coast of the Horn of Africa. Many damages, more or less serious, are already – also – to be deplored, as well as an abandonment unfortunately. The skipper Fives Group – Lantana Environnement was not spared by technical problems, but he is coping with it, repairing it, positive and enjoying it!
For a few days now, the main concern of the competitors in the Vendée Globe is to get around a large windless zone that blocks their access to trade winds.
Pay strategy
Louis Duc opted for the West and is happy about it: “It’s a good option but, for lack of big spi (torn up on the second day of race, ed), I will come out 60 or 80 miles late compared to what I could have done with… It’s frustrating, but that’s the way it is. It doesn’t jeopardize the boat or the race. And in the south, it won’t be a penalty,” said Normand.
On the road
Since last night, he’s been tracing south on the road. The various strategic options taken within the fleet have not yet delivered their verdicts, but it will not be long. “Tuesday noon normally should be clearer. In the center, it should start to slow down seriously. In the east, they seem to have much less wind than us. On paper anyway. And we all have a cloudy bar, some kind of front, to pass… The first one that comes out will be a winner!”
Know how to savour to perform better
Until then, Louis is enjoying his pleasure of being at sea. To know how to retain the essential despite the frustrations of the competitor who is in him and the harshness of his daily life as a sailor. Positiver, take a step back and enjoy to continue performing, whatever happens.
Words from the sea
Louis Duc, skipper of the Imoca Fives Group – Lantana Environnement: “It was frustrating for 24 – 36h: I was 2 knots slower than I should have been because of the loss of my big spi. That’s the way it is. It’s not going to last.
I fixed my little spi but it didn’t last long, there was too much damage. And, anyway, with the repairs, it lost power and I was no faster than under Code 0 (great gennaker).
It’s a little bit frustrating because my option is good but I will come out 60 or 80 miles behind what I could have done under spi...
A kind of cloudy bar blocks the trade winds. It moves quite a bit: it shifted to the east and then to the south. Now it’s coming back: you have to cross it. In the east, they seem to have much less wind than us. On paper anyway. to pass… The first one who comes out of this cloud bar will be a winner!
Two nights ago, in a grain, an aerial (electronic weathervane attached to the mast head that provides force and wind direction information to navigation instruments and especially to the autopilot) broke down. There was no lightning, no thunderstorm but obviously, the power of static electricity from clouds was enough to put it out of service. It was brand new…
The whole autopilot plant broke down. I went on a rescue pilot. It works but it’s a less sophisticated and efficient system than the other one… It’s like going from a Rolls Royce to a 4L! But the 4L, it works…
I’m probably not the only one who’s in trouble. I’m at sea and happy to be here. Apart from these few little “surprises” everything is going great!”
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.
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