Vendee Globe - Italian skipper gets new boat

by Vendee Globe on 3 Oct 2014 The Italian skipper, Andrea Mura, aged 50, announced his intention on September 24th to take part in the next Vendée Globe aboard a new generation 60-foot IMOCA. She will be built at the Persico yard in Bergamo. Famous for winning the 2010 Route du Rhum in his category, the Italian skipper will be attempting to repeat that success this year before focusing on the non-stop solo round the world voyage.

Looking back at the history of the Vendée Globe, only four Italian sailors have ever set sail from les Sables-d’Olonne. In 2016, there will be a fifth competitor, Andrea Mura, who will also be the first Italian to set sail in the non-stop solo round the world race aboard a brand new boat. 'We are currently designing the IMOCA 60 and looking for a boat that will be competitive and a good performer,' explained the skipper.

'We are going to do our utmost to do well in the next edition of the race. The boat will be built by Persico, a yard located in Bergamo in the North of Italy, which has already come up with boats for the Volvo Ocean Race and the America’s Cup. Taking part in the Vendée Globe is a dream for every skipper, who is keen on ocean racing. It’s no easy challenge, but I’ll be doing my best to make it a success. I’m doing it for myself, but also for my country and my homeland, Sardinia. My project isn’t a commercial venture, but a sporting one, where the human aspect is important.'

The Vendée Globe will be the pinnacle of the career of this 50-year old sailor, who began sailing smaller boats, competing in particular in the 470 circuit, before joining an Italian challenger in the America’s Cup.

Andrea Mura, who is also well known as a sailmaker, became involved in ocean racing aboard Vento di Sardegna, a 50-foot monohull aboard which he won the 2010 Route du Rhum in the Rhum category, thus becoming the first Italian to achieve such success in the solo transatlantic race. He has also had success in the Twostar and the Quebec – St-Malo in 2012 and in the 2013 Ostar. On 2nd November, Andrea Mura will be setting sail from St. Malo to attempt to achieve a second victory in the Route du Rhum, before dedicating himself entirely to the solo round the world race Vendee Globe