A second life for the one time holder of the Jules Verne Record the maxi catamaran Orange II

From the following article (in French) in the Multiplast newsletter:

http://www.multiplast.eu/fr/actualit%C3%A9s/newsletters/actualit%C3%A9s-composite-yachts/710-une-deuxi%C3%A8me-vie-pour-le-catamaran-orange-ii.html

And the rough bing translate below:

A second life for the catamaran Orange II
François Bich and the Multiplast (valves) are pleased to announce a second life for the catamaran Orange II

 

This boat, led by Bruno Peyron, a detainee the Jules Verne trophy (record around the world to sail with a crew) in 50 days, 16 hours and 20 minutes from 2005 to 2010 but also the fastest on the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean and 24 hours (766.8 miles either 31.95 knots average speed).

 

"Bruno Peyron:" I am proud of this history of conquest, proud of this boat that gave me my 3^th Jules Verne trophy, proud of my companions with whom we have spent so many hours and magical nights around the world but I am glad that François Bich and the Multiplast yard have the audacity to begin a transformation as radical and ambitious. It will likely mark a turning point in the evolution of the maxi large cruising catamarans and...I like the audacity!"

 

A wonderful machine that has won....

 

Designed by the Gilles Ollier Design Team and built by the chantier Multiplast, Orange II, long of 36 m, is a wonderful machine that won it all! Should be passionate bud experienced to tackle a project of this scale: it will be François Bich.

 

François Bich begins on the family boat designed by M.andre mung. He then gained experience on dinghies (Ponant and 505). In 1965, he sailed on the 12 m JI Sovereign used during the summer as a family boat. He dedicated then 4 years of his youth in the preparation of the America's Cup and will be incorporated into the battalion of Joinville in respect of training for this event. In 1970 and 1974 he will participate in Newport, on France to the America's Cup.

 

Passionate multihull, the Hobie Cat in formula 40, François Bich is one of the rare enthusiasts of beautiful boats capable of giving a second life to Orange II. He knows that he will benefit from an exceptional boat to circumnavigate the world.

It is therefore not without emotion, that Jack Michal, Franck Martin and Yann Penfornis, three architects who participated in the initial design of the catamaran to the side of Gilles Oliier, revealed plans and calculation notes to develop changes to the boat. The goal is to turn it into a (very) fast cruising yacht without losing the boat racing DNA. Thus a streamlined nacelle of 70 m² will be grafted behind mast boom. Six booths will be arranged in shells with 3 pairs of guests and a crew of 5.

From a technical point of view, despite the strong will and many approaches of the new owner to navigate under the french flag, this transformation will be possible only by opting for a UK regulator more suitable and less restrictive.

 

François Bich is a member of the BIC company since February 1969. From 1971, it takes the global responsibility of the "Lighter" category, he was in charge of the creation and development and ensures always responsibility 43 years later.

 

Roman Paszke's westabout circumnavigation attempt (Paszke360)

Polish sailor Roman Paszke is attempting to do a westabout navigation of the globe in record time on his 27 metre Marstrom ocean racing catamaran.  It's been a rocky road for him with gear breakages ending the first attempt and more problems on the more recent attempt with his rudder.  The site is in Polish but google translate seems to work well enough to give you a good idea whats happening.

http://paszke360.com/

Multi50 news, the Multi50 Association publish their calendar of events for 2013

The excellent Multi50 class have published their calendar of events for 2013.  The original document is in French and I've just done a google translate which accounts for the in places "interesting" English but you get the idea.  The original document is here:

NEWSLETTER OF Multi50 21/12/2012
http://www.class-multi50.org/newsletters/newsletter29.html

2013: A year for ambitious Multi50 class

Multihulls Class Multi50 voted their calendar 2013. Appointments between now and the inevitable new events, the season promises to be a number of miles.
 Multihulls Class Multi50 voted their calendar 2013. Appointments between now and the inevitable new events, the season promises to be a number of miles. It is a perfectly balanced schedule that Multi50 chose for 2013. Some events for spring break in boats, two trophies and two exclusive Multi50 new events: in 2013 Multi50 will show their bows in the Mediterranean, and at the end of the season, they'll tu 27 ° S latitude south most ever multihulls visited by 15 meters. year begins with a birth in the Aquitaine coast. Lalou Roucayrol should put water in his new boat during the month of January before developing in the following months, to run events of the season. All skippers Multi50 enthusiastically greet the arrival of a new kid in the class. Kicking off the season will be given from 3 to 6 May at the Grand Prix Guyader. The Multi50 admit a weakness for the Bay of Douarnenez and multiple opportunities to make nice journey. This year's races will be held over four days: when you love it does not count! Then the fleet descend rapidly to the Trinité sur Mer for the start of Race Ingerop Armen May 9 The island of Sein in Ile d'Yeu, a distance of 330 miles with the classification provided many twists to the finish line. then, without losing time, Multi50 will for the first time Cape to Gibraltar and Marseilles, where they will start the new Princes Road, June 1. Valencia (Spain), Lisbon (Port.), Dublin (Ire.), Plymouth (UK) promise to become the scene of festive stops after short steps and played. The finish shall be deemed to Roscoff June 29 Cowes Dinard and the Fastnet Race are on the menu this summer and will Trophy Prince de Bretagne in Saint-Quay Portrieux late August, followed by the Port of Fecamp Trophy early September. These two go together each year for three days each, plus 10 Multi50 and even 13 boats in 2012. Finally, on November 3 will be given the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre, new version. Multi50 will never come down much latitude. They go to Itajai in Brazil, well south of Rio. The course direct route displays 5.4 million and is therefore a long race that awaits tandems skippers with Pot-au-black and bypass the Brazilian coast. Meanwhile this ambitious season, the whole class Multi50 wish you happy holidays!

Multi50 Calendar - 2013 GRAND PRIX GUYADER - May 3 to 6 ARMEN RACE - May 9 PRINCES ROAD - 1st June 30 COWES-DINARD - July 12 to 14 Fastnet Race - August 10 to 12 PRINCE TROPHY BRITTANY / SAINT-QUAY - 30 August to 1 September TROPHY PORT FECAMP - September 7 to 9 TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE - Departure November 3