Posts tagged Bretagne
19
Jul 11
Jul 11
Safran
Brittany, France 47°20'21"N 3°26'31"W
Published in Yachting World January 2012 issue.
If you ever needed a graphic description of just why all modern Open 60s have the protective cocoons they do, here it is. this is a shot of the military hardware company-sponsored SAFRAN during training for the Transat Jacques Vabre 2011 with skipper Marc Guillemot co/skipper Yann Eliés, which starts at the end of October from Le Havre, Normandy. The doublehanded TJV is one of France’s major ocean races, with the cream of the IMOCA and Class 40 crop on the line for the jaunt from France to Costa Rica.
Words: Alan Block
13
Jul 11
Jul 11
Sodebo the Razors Edge
Saint Philibert, Brittany, France 47º34’26″N 3º00’24″W
Another surreal view from the lens of Christophe Launay, this time from the Sodeb’O shed in La Trinité, where the big trimaran is being cleaned up and mothballed until Thomas Coville gets back from his Volvo Ocean Race campaign aboard Franck Cammas’ Team Groupama.
Meanwhile, Francis Joyon, Coville’s nemesis in the record-breaking game, is on standby with IDEC in Brooklyn, NY, readying for his chance to crush Coville’s solo transatlantic record of 5 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds. For comparison’s sake, Rambler 100, the most powerful and modern of racing monohulls, just had a brilliant crossing last week of 6 days, 22 hours, with about 20 more mouths to feed than Joyon…
Words: Alan Block
24
Apr 11
Apr 11
Banque Populaire V
Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly, Lorient, Brittany, France 47º43’12″N 3º22’92″W
Maxi Banque Populaire V designed by VPLP and built by CDK at the Cité de la Voile Éric Tabarly in Lorient, Brittany, France.
20
Apr 11
Apr 11
M34 groupama Onboard
La Trinité sur Mer, Brittany , France 47°33'85"N 3°00'73"W
The 2011 Tour de France a la Voile might be lightly populated and it might take us all a long time before we get over our nostalgic love for days of the huge Mumm 30 fleets, but the big guns are ready to play in the new M34 and Christophe Launay was with Frank Cammas and his Groupama’s Sailing Team for some light air training in preparation for the huge Breton gathering at Spi Ouest.
Words: Alan Block
31
Mar 11
Mar 11
Sodebo, Thomas Coville Arrival
La Trinité sur Mer, Brittany, France 47º33’78″N 3º00’85″W
Christophe Launay was on hand to catch some memorable shots of poor Thomas Coville after his third attempt at the solo RTW record in three years fell short. “Valiant Tom” and Sodeb’O were beaten first by a damaged ama, but ultimately by an uncooperative North Atlantic. Given his clear love for the massive challenge he faces at beating the near-perfect run Francis Joyon put together to get the record, we hope to see him try again next year. BRAVO Thomas!!
Words: Alan Block 
25
Mar 11
Mar 11
Fashion MOD 70
Lorient, brittany, france 47°43'99"N 3°22'45"W
Saluting the new fashion age, La Cite de la Voile Eric Tabarly, Lorient, Brittany stood at attention during that spring night, entranced by the achievements and swift progress of VPLP designers, sailors and boat builders, resulting in the new MOD 70.
A Catwalk to new Ocean Adventures.
31
Oct 10
Oct 10
Route du Rhum La Banque Postale 2010
Saint Malo, Brittany, France 48º39’14″N 2º12’81″W
Start of the Route du Rhum La Banque Postale 2010.
The Route du Rhum is a transatlantic single-handed yacht race, which takes places every 4 years in November. The course is between Saint Malo, Brittany, France and Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. Franck Cammas (Groupama 3), quotes: On ranking this win among others: “All victories are good but I’ve never experienced a finish like this, either the weather on the water or the welcome here.” “This victory it was not really expected, we prepared very well but I did not really know how it would unfold on the boat, so it is hard to know how to rank it in the list. But certainly I am very proud to be able to add my name to those who have won it before me.”
