Oman Sail/Musandam MOD70 trimaran craned out at Lorient for repairs

The Oman Sail/Musandam trimaran that capsized in the Quebec - St Malo transat has been craned out in Lorient for repairs.

Sultanate of Oman from muriel vdb on Vimeo.

Phaedo team compete in the Artemis Challenge onboard the MOD70 Phaedo3

The Phaedo Team have competed in the Artemis Challenge they were set to duel with the MOD70 Concise 10 but some technical problems prevented the Concise Team from competing.  As it turned out the conditions were not favorable in terms of completing the challenge in record time and the record is retained by Michel Desjoyeaux on the MOD70 Foncia which competed in the 2012 edition of the Artemis Challenge.

There is a more detailed article on the Artemis Challenge website here:



Phaedo³ - Artemis Challenge 2016 from Ocean Images on Vimeo.

Phaedo3 MOD70 trimaran victorious in Caribbean 600 sets new course and race record

Phaedo³, RORC Caribbean 600 2015 finish from Ocean Images on Vimeo.

Route des Princes update, first offshore leg Valencia to Lisbon underway

The first leg of the Route des Princes has started.  You can view the tracker here:

http://tracking.routedesprinces.fr/fr/

Route des Princes update, Spindrift Racing takes narrow lead in the inshore races

From the following article on the Route des Princes news page:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/113/spindrift-have-slender-lead.html

After the first three inshore races for the MOD70 class on the Route des Princes off Valencia, Spindrift have the narrowest possible lead, only topping the first day’s ranking by virtue of a tie break with Edmond de Rothschild.

read more here

MOD70's racing in Valencia, photo Marcel Mochet

MOD70 video, Virbac Paprec in the Armen Race

A bord de VIRBAC-PAPREC 70 sur l'Armen Race by Virbac-Paprec_SailingTeam

MOD70 update, Virbac Paprec team's John Pierre Dick discusses the teams program

From the following article on Voiles et Voiliers

http://www.voilesetvoiliers.com/course-regate/jean-pierre-dick-jai-totalement-bascule-sur-le-mod-70-/

here is the rough bing translate:

voilesetvoiliers.com: Jean-Pierre, how do get a Vendée Globe as intense?
Jean-Pierre Dick: This isn't by investing me on the new MOD70 project that I'm resting! We are a little behind the other teams who have their boat for one or two years and who have régaté last season... Especially since these multihulls require a huge concentration, both to steer it to manage the project. I had only a three-week break.

It's more complicated than an IMOCA 60?
 This is not the same size and navigation time is more complex as each team member has a very sharp role. Between a monohull of the world tour where I'm alone and I have confidence in the driver and a MOD70 six crew where you have to constantly pay attention to the bar to manoeuvre, there is a world. It's a challenge difficult and dense to mount a crew for a full season with the road of the Princes in June and the transat Jacques Vabre in November.

That is what you as prompted to pass the multihull and the MOD70 more specifically?
Jean-Pierre DickTwo-time winner of the Barcelona World Race, triple winner of the transat Jacques Vabre, Jean-Pierre Dick after eleven seasons in the IMOCA monohulls undertakes on the MOD70 circuit.  I have eleven years of monohull IMOCA with three Vendee Globe and two Barcelona World Race: the MOD70 made me dream. And the multihulls monotypes program also relies on a round the world crew: this is what made me switch, this dimension of the high seas. Especially since the boats are very exciting, with the meaning for my partners, Virbac and Paprec: we always take many people for specific relational and support for the multihull is very attractive.

But between your decision of before the Vendée Globe and today, the MOD circuit has changed!
 The bases of the MOD70 are very healthy: the boat is well born, very powerful and very robust as seen during the Armen Race with a lot of wind and sea. The Monotype is very exciting with multihulls that spin at 35 knots... Should now that there is a viable circuit in the long term, but there are already seven trimarans built and ready to navigate! The fundamentals are there to make this succeed. Certainly the dimension "adventure" the Vendee Globe is not there, but there are many attractive and historic in France on multihulls.

There's a weariness of the monohull?
 Not even if I had said that this would be my last Vendée Globe: I still reserve my answer... I am on this MOD-70 project because it had to also change, recharge, calling into question. And navigate in crew, manage a team, it's very rewarding! This allows to go more in depth in some areas.

You have just practiced the multihull...
 I made three Trophée Clairefontaine, a Grand Prix Extreme40, formula 18 and Hobie Cat... But few oceanic multihull: this is learned relatively quickly when even insofar as it is not alone. I wouldn't Route du Rhum in MOD70. Double races will be even an exception in my race programme: this is the safe limit for me, to not find me with 50 knots of wind with a crew on a boat like this.
Virbac-Paprec 70Jean-Pierre Dick confirms that the trimaran in crew approach is not at all the same as solitary IMOCA: lots of navigation are provided for the deficit compared with the other three teams present on the Princes Highway.Photo @ Jacques van Staden

You are obliged to deliver a certain number of things flat?
 Yes, not even in terms of focus, attention permanently on board. I barrer on the in-shore races, which requires a big concentration because it does not take a start in the same way as in monohull IMOCA, that buoys crossings must be very early. There are very sharp like Yann Guichard, Seb Josse, Sidney Gavignet competitors...
When ambition for this first season?
 Stay in the game: cannot yet be said to win!

How did you choose your crew?
Equipage Virbac-Paprec 70Virbac-Paprec 70 crew includes three veteran members of the MOD-70 Veolia and three solitary of the Vendée Globe! I thought well before the Vendée Globe to embark professionals worthy of the name: it was necessary to commit before my round the world. My analysis on this type of boat is to have people very versatile, turned on the wide, knowing the multihull. Vincent Riou (head quarter) was very motivated to change also support, at least until the summer: it has an excellent technical knowledge and it is also a sharp browser. Roland Jourdain (Watch leader) brings his one season in MOD - 70 and its project management experience. Thierry du Vorsent Dupré (n ° 1) is also the boat-captain of Virbac-Paprec 70. Thierry Douillard (adjuster-performer) has a big ranking in Olympic sailing, match-race in America's Cup Class, in Orma trimaran and Fred Guillemin has a resume similar: both were also with Bhat on Veolia. Guillaume Le Brec (trimmer) is replacing with in the stable Absolute Dreamer, a role full time to analyze the data collected on board. I would assume the position of browser on the off-shore and the bar on the in-shore.

After the road to the Princes in June?
 Many public relations with Paprec Virbac: it is very important to me, the entire month of July. And rest in the month of August: should I get anyway! Preparation of the transat Jacques Vabre in September and October: I'd go with one of my teammates from the Princes Highway...

And next season?
 The MOD should move: there are already to program the Krys Ocean Race as last year between New York and Brest. Normally, the American Cam Lewis, who bought Veolia has indicated that he would. And then everything can go very quickly because the ex -Foncia and Race for Water are operational. Other skippers could join the circuit. Discussed with the organizers to move the project from around the world, because it would be a great challenge for 2015.

You have totally switched circuit MOD or you still have one foot in the IMOCA?
 I'm more invested in the IMOCA Class: I am running my MOD project. My boat is for sale: it will be equipped with a new keel under the new standards decided by the tonnage milled steel. The expertise of the previous keel is not complete: it was welded and she broke out of the well.
Virbac-Paprec 3The monohull Virbac-Paprec 3 is for sale: the boat will be equipped with a new keel steel milled according to the new gauge adopted by the IMOCA class.

And what do you think of the latest decisions of the IMOCA Class on "standardized monohulls"?

With what I experienced, I saw well that it was more possible to follow financially. The big stables were ways than the other skippers as Vincent (Riou), Jean (Le Cam), Mike (Golding), myself and many others could not have. Need to reduce costs! An IMOCA 60' nine today reach 4.5 to 5 million euros... The new gauge must now curb the inflation.

But a MOD70 project, this is roughly equivalent to a four year IMOCA project!
 The MOD70 is a little more expensive today because there's a crew. The value of the boat is equivalent (3.4 million €) but it takes about 3 million € per year of operation.
For the Transat Jacques Vabre, duplicate, will have to adapt the trimaran.
 The idea is that everyone should be such and that it does not bring the Monotype for crew races. Meets for this: we need to install a more powerful automatic driver, add a rear ballast, a few additional stops.

Since your return of the Vendée Globe, you have participated to Grand Prix Lesley and Armen Race: what is your feeling on the MOD70?
 These are very demanding vessels, imposing an excellent crew coordination. We have a humble goal: there is a gap between the teams last year and we, especially when the wind returned. But you learn quickly: we should be able to adjust gradually to perform next season. There work!
The format of the Princes Highway is quite similar to the Tour of Europe in IMOCA.
 It is quite varied with coastal regattas, offshore courses and a big step. With port races at every stop. This is new for me in a multihull. And then there is a festive side who can make the success of this event, a bit like the Tour de France à la Voile: there should be a popular momentum...

MOD70 update, Interview with Cam Lewis of the Orion team

from the following interview on sail racing magazine's website:

http://www.sailracingmagazine.com/cam-lewis-on-why-orion-racing-are-bringing-the-first-mod-70-to-the-usa/

We were intrigued by a press release last week from the European based MOD 70 Class announcing that the California based Orion Racing had purchased the Veolia trimaran from the circuit organisers.
Sail Racing Magazine editor Justin Chisholm tracked down Orion Racing skipper Cam Lewis to find out from the horse’s mouth just what the thinking was behind bringing the first MOD 70 to the USA.
Just back from a multihull class win aboard Peter Aschenbrenner’s 63ft ‘cruising’ trimaran Paradox in the Caribbean RORC 600, Lewis was enthusiastic about the prospect of getting his hands on a thoroughbred racing tri and upbeat about the potential of re-launching fast multihull racing on the west coat of America.

read more here

MOD70 update, Spindrift Racing relaunch their MOD70 trimaran for the 2013 season

MOD70 update, Jean-Pierre Dick and the Virbac Paprec team show off their talented crew

From the following press release by the Virbac Paprec MOD70 team:

http://www.jpdick.com/fr/english/a-widely-experienced-crew.html

After 10 years of single and double-handed sailing, Jean-Pierre Dick is taking on a new challenge with his VIRBAC-PAPREC 70 multihull. He is now the leader of a “top-flight” team. They come from the Vendée Globe, America's Cup, the Jules Verne Trophy, and from sailing on one hull as well as three. They are called Roland, Vincent, Thierry (x2), Fred (x2) and Guillaume. “We have a very skilled and friendly crew! We take pleasure in sailing together and sharing our various seafaring experiences”, stressed the enthusiastic skipper during the first training sessions off Lorient. VIRBAC-PAPREC sailing team's objective is to learn quickly so as to be competitive in next Tour of Europe in June.

read more here

Photo courtesy, Virbac Paprec team

Spindrift Racing, release their 2013 program

From the following article on the Spindrift Racing website

 

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/04/the-power-of-three/

 

After re-fitting the maxi-trimaran Spindrift 2 (formerly the record-breaking Banque Populaire V), the Spindrift racing team is gaining momentum. The 2013 program, designed and based around Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard, will marry regattas, ocean races and ocean records for the next four seasons.

 

The Fastnet Race in August for Spindrift 2

Spindrift 2 is currently at the CDK boatyard in Lorient for a complete check-up and will be launched in its new livery in early July. The first training session is scheduled so that Spindrift 2 does not break stride before the start of the Fastnet Race from Cowes on August 11. He holds the record for the 600-mile race in the English Channel and the Irish Sea, winning in 1 day 8 hours and 48 minutes at an average speed of 18.1 knots (approved WSSRC record) in August 2011. “This year will be dedicated to discovering the boat and familiarising ourselves with the size of the machine so we can determine what technical developments it is possible to make for next season.” Yann Guichard said.

After the first outing in the Fastnet, Spindrift racing will dedicate 2014 to the formation of a team of a dozen people to set records: An Atlantic crossing, the Route Discovery, a Mediterranean crossing, Jules Verne …

 

“This joint project with Yann is about drawing together human and sporting adventures that fit our criteria: creating a new challenge and team, performing and not resting on our laurels,” Dona Bertarelli said. “Although it is a logical next step for Yann in his career, for me it is a 90 ° turn and a big challenge to get involved in this ocean racing format that I do not know. It is my desire to progress further and discover the deep.”

 

read more here

MOD70 update, Virbac Paprec Team first sailing session.

John Pierre Dick and the Virbac Paprec MOD70 team have taken the new craft out on it's first sailing session. 


27 mars 2013 - Premières navigations à bord de... by Virbac-Paprec_SailingTeam

MOD70 update, 2013 program announced

From the following press release by Multi One Design:

http://www.multionedesign.com/en/news/864/mod70-2013-season-and-2014-2016-horizon.html

27.03.13

The inaugural MOD70 racing season was deemed a great success proving the potential of the one-design MOD70 Class and the full value of this innovative concept in the sailing world through the boat performance, reliability, the tight races and exciting events. Over 850,000 visitors followed the competition in the race village of the "Krys Ocean Race" and "MOD70 European Tour". Since the launch of the first MOD70, Race for Water, in March 2011, the circuit has generated an estimated 24 million Euro international media return.

2013 Competition Season
In the absence of a title sponsor for 2013, MOD and teams have opted on competing in events that include different classes.

The MOD70 fleet programme includes a European Tour in the "Route des Princes" next June and most likely the "Transat Jacques Vabre" race between le Havre (France) and Itajai (Brazil) with scheduled start on the 3^rd of November.

read more here

 

Gitana team update, MOD70 Edmond de Rothschild and 77' Maxi trimaran Gitana XI

From the following article on the Gitana Team website:

 

http://www.gitana-team.com/en/event.news.aspx?eventid=85&newsid=1003

 

The winter break is well and truly over and the pontoons of the Keroman submarine base, home to Gitana Team, are a hive of activity. A week on from the launch of the 70’ trimaran Edmond de Rothschild, Sébastien Josse and his crew were able to make the most of the perfect conditions to go for their first sea trials of the year: a few tacks offshore of Lorient to fire up the machine before the long weeks of training that lie ahead. These sea trials were also an opportunity for the 2013 version of the crew to get together. Indeed, though some of the crew did a lot of sailing together last season, Gitana Team is also welcoming some new faces aboard the trimarans fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild.

Despite being on the cusp of spring, it was a chilly atmosphere aboard Edmond de Rothschild yesterday for the first sea trials of the year: “Since the launch, the shore crew, joined by a group of sailors, has been finalising preparation of the boat on the dock. On the boat’s exit from the yard, there were still a few elements to be adjusted before heading out to sea. These operations can’t be done in the shed, as they require the trimaran to have her mast stepped. Such tasks include bending on the sails, rig tensioning and setting up the electronics and hydraulics. On Tuesday, everything was in place to enable us to cast off for a few hours. It was a bit chilly for our first sea trial but the wind conditions were really perfect in terms of wind, with 15-20 knots of breeze set to ease. We got the chance to see the boat’s entire range and we’ll be able to step things up a gear from the end of next week. We crossed tacks with Oman Sail offshore of Groix, whilst Virbac Paprec, which has joined the fleet this season, is now tied up just a few metres away from us,” said a delighted Sébastien Josse, satisfied that the sporting season has begun.

 

read more here

MOD70 Update, Musandam Oman on approach to Dun Laoghaire, Ireland in preperation for record attempt

From the following article on The National Yacht Club website:

 

http://www.nyc.ie/2013/03/mod70-musandam-oman-sail-sets-sails-to-attempt-round-ireland-record-this-friday-21st-march/

 

MOD70 Musandam Oman Sail sets sails to attempt Round Ireland Record this Friday 21st March

Following their visit to Dun Laoghaire for the MOD70 European Tour last September, Musandam – Oman Sail, skippered by Sidney Gavignet is back with a crew of five (Irishman Damian Foxall, Neal McDonald, Jean Francois Cuzon and Fahad Al Hasni), this time in a bid to break the 20 year old Round Ireland record established by Lakota in 1993.

 

read more and tracker here

 

 

MOD70 update, Jean Pierre Dick and the Virbac Paprec team launch thier new MOD70

Jean Pierre Dick's, Virbac Paprec MOD70 launched.

From the Multionedesign.com website:

http://www.multionedesign.com/en/news/863/virbac-paprec-70-launched.html

20.03.13

"A new page is turned and a new challenge begins". It is with these words and looking towards the new MOD70 being lifted by the crane that Jean-Pierre Dick referred to the launch of VIRBAC-PAPREC 70. A few weeks after finishing the Vendée Globe, the skipper from Nice will now continue in its wake on three hulls. This season will be a learning one with a team as pleasant as they are talented.

MOD70 team Oman Sail to attempt to set new Round Ireland record

The MOD70 team Oman Sail are gearing up for an attempt at the Round Island Speed Record this week

From the following afloat.ie article

http://afloat.ie/sail/offshore/item/21176-foxall-onboard-french-trimaran-for-round-ireland-record-bid

#roundirelandrecord – A 60-foot French international trimaran with Ireland's top offshore sailor Damian Foxall and an international crew on board is to attempt to break the Round Ireland speed record this week.
French sailor Sidney Gavignet will skipper Oman Sail, a MOD 70 that was last in Irish waters for the MOD70 European tour last September. As well as Foxall, Neal McDonald, Jean Francois Cuzon and Fahad Al Hasni are listed as crew.
The bid is sponsored by the Tourism ministry of Oman.

World Speed Sailing Record Commissioner Chris Moore, who is also the vice-commodore of Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) will officiate this latest attempt, possibly on March 20th but subject to weather. The plan, according to Moore, is to start and finish at the Kish lighthouse at the entrance to Dublin Bay using DBSC's new starting vessel Freebird.

read more here

MOD70 update, Orion Team launch their MOD70 in Lorient

Cam Lewis and his Orion Team have just relaunched and rerigged their MOD70 (the former Veolia team boat) in Lorient, Brittany.

From the following article on the Multi One Design website

http://www.multionedesign.com/en/news/861/orion-racing-launched-in-lorient.html

The MOD70 nr.02 was re-launched today in Lorient with its new colors: Orion Racing.
 
  After 5 days of sailing tests in the bay of Lorient, the MOD70 nr.02 will be shipped to Puerto Vallarta on the Western coast of Mexico where its training camp will be set up for the next 3 months.  In July, Orion Racing will move to San Francisco its operational base for the summer.

Photo courtesy of Multi One Design

MOD70 update: New team Orion Racing join the class

From the following article by Multionedesign

http://www.multionedesign.com/en/news/859/orion-racing-join-mod70-class.html

Orion Racing join MOD70 Class

 

Multi One Design (MOD) announced today that US-based Orion Racing has purchased MOD nr.02. “MOD is delighted to welcome an American boat-owner as it increases the number of nationalities in the circuit”, said Marco Simeoni, President of Multi One Design. “Orion will bring a new dynamic to the development of the circuit and promote the MOD70 series in the American Market.”

 

read more here