2016 Vendee Globe – Paul Meilhat’s SMA christened in Douarnenez

by Vendee Globe on 15 May 2015 The SMA monohull aboard which Paul Meilhat will be competing in the next 2016 Vendée Globe was christened on Thursday in Douarnenez in Western Brittany. Accompanied by the Mer Agitée technical team set up by Michel Desjoyeaux, Paul Meilhat was able to enjoy this special moment. On the following day, Paul was out there racing for the first time on her in Douarnenez Bay, where he also took his first steps as a dinghy racer. So it was back to the beginning as he opens a new chapter in his career.

It looked like it was going to continue to rain, but it stopped a few hours before the crucial moment, when the bottle of champagne was smashed on the bow of the boat. For this very simple ceremony, the two presidents of SMABTP and SMAvie carried out the operation together. And it was a success, as on the first attempt, the bottle exploded on the bow of SMA.

Paul Meilhat’s reaction : “Carrying out this ceremony in Douarnenez was a very meaningful exercice. This is a town of sailors, where people remain humble and united. On a personal level, it’s back to the beginning, as it was here at the Tréboul sailing school that I had my first sailing lessons. Douarnenez is also a place that hosts one of the stopovers in the Tour du Finistère, an event I particularly enjoy. For all of these reasons, I’m pleased that this ceremony is happening here. I am fully aware too of how lucky I am to be so well supported in this project. Thanks to everyone at Mer Agitée. Each day I appreciate the quality of their work and thanks also to SMA for showing confidence in me. I will do my best to live up to their aspirations.”

After Douarnenez, SMA will be sailing around Belle-Île on 9th May before competing in the Armen Race from 14th to 17th May and the SNSM Record from 19th to 23rd June.

An ambitious programme

'The programme may look ambitious with the idea of going from the Figaro project to the world of the big boys in just one year,' declared Didier Ridoret, President of SMABTP, 'but for a group like ours, which is clearly developing, it is quite logical, particularly as we are not stepping into the unknown. We have a boat that is a reference in the IMOCA class, we have a talented skipper, who on top of that is supported by a well established team, Michel Desjoyeaux’s Mer Agitée. This form of sponsorship is an extension of our company’s ambitions.'
'This is something new for us,” added Patrick Bernasconi, President of SMAvie, “but we can already see how strong the support is within the firm. Paul’s personal qualities, the strengths of the team around him and our desire to succeed in this challenge will ensure the rest.”