Spindrift 2 sets sight at bigger goals over next four years

by Virginie Bouchet on 16 Apr 2013 After re-fitting the maxi-trimaran Spindrift 2 (formerly the record-breaking Banque Populaire V), the Spindrift racing team is gaining momentum. The 2013 program, designed and based around Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard, will marry regattas, ocean races and ocean records for the next four seasons.

Spindrift 2 is currently at the CDK boatyard in Lorient for a complete check-up and will be launched in its new livery in early July. The first training session is scheduled so that Spindrift 2 does not break stride before the start of the Fastnet Race from Cowes on August 11. He holds the record for the 600-mile race in the English Channel and the Irish Sea, winning in one day eight hours and 48 minutes at an average speed of 18.1 knots (approved WSSRC record) in August 2011. 'This year will be dedicated to discovering the boat and familiarising ourselves with the size of the machine so we can determine what technical developments it is possible to make for next season.' Yann Guichard said.

After the first outing in the Fastnet, Spindrift racing will dedicate 2014 to the formation of a team of a dozen people to set records: An Atlantic crossing, the Route Discovery, a Mediterranean crossing, Jules Verne …

'This joint project with Yann is about drawing together human and sporting adventures that fit our criteria: creating a new challenge and team, performing and not resting on our laurels,' Dona Bertarelli said. 'Although it is a logical next step for Yann in his career, for me it is a 90 ° turn and a big challenge to get involved in this ocean racing format that I do not know. It is my desire to progress further and discover the deep.'

Competing since 2007 on the Decision 35 circuit on board Ladycat, Dona Bertarelli continues her quest for the Geneva Holy Grail after winning the Bol d'Or in 2010, the first victory by a woman skipper (and crew of mostly women), since creation of the event in 1939! Third in the Vulcain Trophy last year behind Realstone Sailing and Alinghi, the crew's ambition is for more of the same in 2013 and to fight for the podium in the fleet of twelve one-design catamarans. Eight races are scheduled from mid-May until the Bol d'Or in mid-June, then in September on Lake Geneva.

This season, the skippers of MOD70 trimarans will compete in two major ocean races: the Route des Princes around Europe and the Transat Jacques Vabre double-hander in November. The tour of Western Europe from June 6 to June 30 stops in Valencia (Spain), Lisbon (Portugal), Dublin (Ireland), Plymouth (England) and Roscoff (Brittany) and is for multihulls over 50 feet, divided into three classes.

To test the winter check-up, Spindrift will be launched around April 17, before heading for a tour of the Belle Isle, leaving from La Trinité-sur-Mer on May 4. At the end of the season, Yann Guichard will leave from Le Havre for Brazil (Itajai) on the Transat Jacques Vabre two-hander.

It is an extensive program for a Spindrift racing team that continues to grow and diversify. Yann Guichard will have more than 230 days of sailing this year, beginning his season at the last meeting of the AC45 World Series in Naples from 16 to 21 April aboard the Energy Team ...

D35 Program: Ladycat powered by Spindrift racing

May 10-12: Grand Prix of Versoix
May 25-26: Grand Prix Les Ambassadeurs
June 7-9: Open Versoix
June 8: Genève-Rolle-Geneva
June 15: Bol d'Or
September 7-8: Open Crans
September 21-22: Grand Prix Grange & C °
September 27-29: Grand Prix Beau-Rivage Palace

Program of the MOD70 Spindrift

April 17: Launch at La Trinité-sur-Mer
May 4: Tour de Belle-Ile (La Trinité-sur-Mer)
June 6 to June 30: Route des Princes (Valencia-Lisbon-Dublin-Plymouth-Roscoff)
November 3: Transat Jacques Vabre (Le Havre-Itajai)

Program of the maxi-trimaran Spindrift 2

Early July: launch in Lorient
August 11: Fastnet Race (Cowes-Fastnet-Plymouth)

D35 crew Ladycat powered by Spindrift racing:

Dona Bertarelli (skipper)
Yann Guichard
Marie Riou
Billy Besson
Arnaud Jarlegan
Devan Le Bihan

MOD70 Spindrift crew

Yann Guichard (skipper)
Jacques Guichard
Erwan Tabarly
Xavier Revil
Christophe Espagnon
Pascal Bidégorry
Sébastien Marsset

Crew of the maxi trimaran Spindrift 2

Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard (co-skippers)
Crew being Spindrift Racing Team