Vendée Globe – Conrad Colman seeks partners to complete his budget

by Interview with Olivier Bourbon / M&M on 19 Aug 2016 A wealth of experience, an international profile, an innovative eco-friendly project, excellent communication skills… The first New Zealander to tackle the Vendée Globe, Conrad Colman, 32, has got everything going for him to share this great adventure.

But he is still missing part of the budget to be able to take part in the best of shape in what is his dream race. Conrad is now offering firms the opportunity to become the headline sponsor for his boat for a very reasonable price. We met up with him to find out more.

Conrad, you’re still looking for partners for the next Vendée Globe?
“Yes, I got the budget together to buy the boat, carry out some work on her to prepare her and to take part in the Transat New York/Vendée. But I knew that the funding I had found at the start of the project was not going to be enough to last until the start of the Vendée Globe. So, I’m looking for other partners. In spite of some promising contacts, unfortunately, it hasn’t yet worked out. I’ve been thinking about the Vendée Globe for ten years. It was to be able to take part one day that I moved to England, then to France. This race has changed my life and it would be a pity not to take part in the best of shape. That’s why I need to find the money to buy some new sails, insure the boat and pay for the satellite links – among other things. I am registered, qualified, the boat is ready and I am too. Everything is set up. I just need the financial backing. Any partner I do find can give his name to the boat for a very reasonable budget. The ideal thing would be to convince firms dealing in renewable energy, but I am not limiting myself to just that sector. I’m looking for French firms, of course, but also foreign ones, who are interested in entering the French market. We’re getting closer and closer to the start date, but I know it won’t take me long to get the project up and running.”

What can you offer any partners? In what way is your project different from those of your competitors?
“Firstly, I have an international profile. I have dual nationality (American and New Zealand). I am bilingual in French and English and I can guarantee coverage in major media, like CNN, thanks to the partnerships we are currently setting up. My boat launched in 2005, is very reliable, but isn’t good enough to aim for victory. The priority, in what will be my first attempt, is therefore to communicate. I am really keen to widen the audience affected by the Vendée Globe. I have what it takes to tell a good story about my adventures, so that is interesting for my partners. I am also stressing that this is an eco-friendly project aimed at promoting the use of innovative green technologies. My boat is the only one in this race to set off without a diesel engine. An electric motor means I am self-sufficient in energy. Two solar panels are fitted to the mainsail for the first time in the world.”
It’s high time that the Vendée Globe became a global adventure”

How are you currently preparing? Do you have a small team with you?
“I’m working with my wife, Clara, but also with some friends and volunteers. We all know what it means to be in two places at once. I’m busy doing one thing, while working on another. I used to run a small firm when I was younger and loved that. Setting up a project for the Vendée Globe thrills me. But now I need financially to be more secure to be able to push ahead without any worries.”

What did you learn during your first solo transatlantic race on an IMOCA, the New York/Vendée, which you finished in twelfth place last spring?
“In fact, I did two solo transatlantic crossings, as I took advantage of the delivery trip to the States to get my qualification for the Vendée Globe. I then followed that with the New York/Vendée. These trips were very exciting after the exhausting work we did in the winter, which involved four months of hard work 16 hours a day, seven days a week. I was happy to get back in the water after those long months spent in the dust. I feel good when I’m on my boat and know how to deal with her. All of the miles I clocked up on a Mini 6.50, on a Class40 and then sailing double-handed on an IMOCA (in particular in the last Barcelona World Race in 2014-2015 with Nandor Fa, editor’s note) were beneficial: it doesn’t worry me being alone on such a big boat. It’s very promising for the Vendée Globe.”

Why is it so important for you to become the first sailor from New Zealand to take part in the Vendée Globe?
“New Zealand is historically a land of sailors, in particular in the America’s Cup and the Whitbread (the crewed race around the world with stopovers, which became the Volvo Ocean Race, editor’s note). We have some legendary sailors, our very own Tabarlys. I am honoured to bring this heritage along with me to the Vendée Globe.”

This eighth edition is going to be a very international one with no fewer than ten nations represented. Are you pleased about that?
“Yes, of course. It is high time that the Vendée Globe became a global adventure, and developed outside of France. We’re on the right track.”