Foto copyright François Van Malleghem / DPPI / Vendée Globe
Fuente info Vendee Globe
Safran back in the water
After a winter refit lasting three months, Marc Guillemot’s monohull Safran was put back in the water on Tuesday 26th April in her home port of La Trinité-sur-Mer. The monohull showed off her new colours, but she has also seen many improvements to make her even more reliable and offer an even better performance. The goal this season is to try to win the Transat Jacques Vabre in November to make it two wins for Safran.
Safran’s relaunch marks the start of the new season with the Douarnenez Grand Prix, the Istanbul Europa Race and the Transat Jacques Vabre coming up. For the latter Marc Guillemot will be taking part with Yann Eliès as co-skipper. Apart from a complete check-up (hull and structure, keel, mast, deck hardware, gear), the Safran Sailing Team was aiming this winter to make weight savings and improve the boat’s reliability. The whole of the wiring on board has been redone and the steering changed, as have the cockpit console fittings. Marc Guillemot: “Each time we aim to make her that little bit more efficient, faster and lighter, but without reducing the safety margins. Obviously we haven’t touched the boat’s structure. With more than 80,000 miles on the clock, we have gained a lot of experience, which has enabled us to make further improvements. The steering has been simplified to make the helm more sensitive and react more. As with each improvement or innovation aboard the boat, all of the modifications have been carried out after consultation with the designers and engineers from the Safran Group who are involved in the project."
As for her new look, Safran’s colours have been designed by Christine Vannier and adapted to the Group’s new logo. Using various shades of grey and touches of orange, the elegant appearance is far from being insignificant for Marc Guillemot: “This is something that is vital for me,” he insists. “The elegant looks and the beauty of a boat on the water are an integral part of what gives you the desire to sail.”
