The grand start of the most famous of the transatlantic races will be given on November 6, 2022, just a year from now (a few days away).
And Roland Jourdain intends to be.
The former Figariste (nine participations including two podiums) has won twice on the Route du Rhum (2006 and 2010) aboard an Imoca monohull built entirely in carbon.
And next year, he decided to return there in a multihull, aboard a 60-foot (18.28m) catamaran built in part with flax fibers.
"
I find it great to be at the start with a boat that shows that there are other possibilities to do things, he explained Tuesday, unveiling his project.
For more than 40 years, Rhum has paved the way for major developments in ocean racing.
I would like to thank my first partners - Bureau Vallée group accompanied by its Bureau Vallée endowment fund for a happy planet, Terre de Lin and the Grand Large yachting group - for following me in this adventure to show that another path is possible for years to come. to come
”.
"Flax fiber is produced in a short circuit and has properties similar to those of glass fiber
Roland Jourdain
A fervent defender of the environment, “
Bilou
” knows planet earth well, having toured it during the Vendée Globe 2000-2001, which ended on the third step of the podium.
The following two editions will be less favorable to him with withdrawals.
And in 2007, he launched his structure Kaïros, in Concarneau to support offshore racing projects with 3 other objectives: "
the environment, education, and transmission
".
This innovative and greener We Explore catamaran therefore fits perfectly into this register and marks the return to the water in competition of one of the most endearing and appreciated sailors on the pontoons.
Launching in spring
For him, there is no doubt that in environmental matters, flax fiber is the future of the boat. “
It is produced in a short circuit, has properties similar to those of fiberglass and is much less energy-intensive to produce. It is also involved in storing carbon
”explains“
Bilou
”, who has been studying this material for ten years. His We Explore, presented as the first “
catamaran of this size to integrate so many plant fibers
” is being built at the Outremer shipyard in La Grande Motte, with the launch scheduled for next spring. "
The construction of We Explore is a real step forward and the coming year will be intense.
The objective of this project goes much further than the finish line of Rum, as will be illustrated by the actions carried out for a happy planet, very committed to sustainable development
”.
More green on the big blue, Bilou is the king of colors in the service of the planet ...
