Mediterranean record - MACIF trimaran no longer on standby

by Trimaran MACIF on 26 Oct 2016 François Gabart has decided to return to Brittany due to the weather conditions, which did not favour a Mediterranean record attempt within the standby period established. The MACIF trimaran is due for a refit when it arrives in Lorient, while the skipper heads to the start of the Vendée Globe, where he will be present as the last winner of the race.

No window, no record

After a little over three weeks watching the weather, François Gabart and his router Jean-Yves Bernot had to face the facts: since the start of this standby phase, the right weather conditions for this Mediterranean crossing never materialized. 'They are simple and well-known: you need a Mistral wind that extends beyond its usual region, as far as the African coast.

The wind was there in the early stages of this standby period, but it never continued beyond Sardinia', observed Jean-Yves Bernot, and the skipper of the MACIF trimaran added: 'The five-six day forecast was often fairly good, but the closer we got to the day, the more the wind ran out of steam after Corsica.' How do you explain that the Mistral died out each time? 'We had a relatively quiet October, with very anticyclonic weather. In fact, this was still the case this week', said François Gabart.

Right up until the last moment, the MACIF skipper and his router hoped for a good weather window. The most recent one they had their sights on since last weekend would have enabled a departure on Wednesday, 26,October, but little by little it closed. 'We would have tried it even if the conditions had been close, but that wasn't even the case', confirmed Jean-Yves Bernot. François Gabart cannot conceal a certain amount of frustration at not being able to attempt the record held by Armel Le Cléac’h (18 hours, 58 minutes and 13 seconds). 'Naturally, I'm disappointed, because I'm competitive, but we have no regrets, because we didn't miss any good opportunities. It's part of what record attempts are all about.'

2016 - a victory, a record and experience under the belt

The MACIF skipper has a positive view of this one and a half-month Mediterranean campaign. 'We had some wonderful opportunities to meet the staff and shareholders of MACIF, as well as the journalists who came to sail on and learn more about the boat. Moreover, we learned a great deal more about the boat and its potential during the delivery and the many training sessions on site. The Mediterranean is a complicated sea, where you need to sail differently; the weather changes very abruptly and surprisingly.'

The return of the trimaran to Lorient marks the end of the 2016 season and François Gabart believes it to have been very positive. 'We raced in the Transat Bakerly, which we won, and we beat the 24-hour record, which confirmed the boat's speed potential. Even if we did not succeed in completing our record attempts, we have gained a lot of experience with a view to the upcoming programme: we must constantly be ready and remain well-organized to perform well at any time.

Boat to be refitted in Lorient, skipper in Les Sables d'Olonne

The MACIF trimaran should be in Lorient by next Friday, where it will be refitted. What's planned? 'This always starts by checking the structure and the dismantling of all the parts. We really pushed the boat this year, particularly during the delivery to the Mediterranean, where we met with rough weather conditions, but, in principle, there's no significant damage.

After that, no major structural modifications are planned, but we have a long job list, with lots of little developments, which aim to make maneuvering and life on board easier and, which if you place them end to end, will keep us very busy', explains François Gabart. As for him, when he reaches Brittany, he will set sail for Les Sables d'Olonne for the start of the Vendée Globe, which he will be commenting live for France Televisions. How does he see the race he won last year time round? 'Lots of things have happened in these last four years, with the addition of foils in particular. We have all the ingredients of a thrilling Vendée Globe', said the MACIF skipper.

MACIF trimaran provisional programme

• 2017: The Bridge and Single-handed round-the-world
• 2018: Route du Rhum

MACIF trimaran identity sheet

• Official name: MACIF
• Architects: VPLP
• Construction: CDK Technologies (project management), Multiplast (Central hull, mainsheet traveller)
• Launch date: 18 August 2015
• Length: 30 m
• Beam: 21 m
• Max draught: 4.5 m
• Number of centreboards: 3
• Air draught: 35 m
• Sail area upwind: 430 m²
• Sail area downwind: 650 m²