Vendée Globe – An update from Bertrand de Broc

by BM / M&M on 5 Aug 2016 It’s worth noting that MACSF dismasted in the Transmanche race back in May, forcing her skipper Bertrand de Broc into the decision to build a new spar: a one-design wing mast. The latter should be ready in late August. We get an update from Bertrand himself.

Bertrand, where are you at with the refit of your boat MACSF and above all what’s happening with the new mast?
“The new mast is being manufactured at Lorima and we’re using the moulds of the one-design wing mast for that. We had to wait a little longer for it to be manufactured in the same moulds as PRB’s new mast. We’ll receive our mast around 20 August, then we’ll step it and make the most of the two remaining months to sail with it and tune it. We’re on track with the timing.”

Have you identified the reasons for the dismasting?
“It’s a combination of several things I think. The dismasting was bordering on gentle, in 14 knots of breeze. I think it was just tired, as it had done the equivalent of four round the worlds. Better for it to break then, in the Transmanche, rather than during the Vendée Globe. If it’s going to happen at all, I’d rather it was this way round!”

We imagine you’ve been able to make the most of the boat being out of action in your Lorient yard to put the finishing touches to other aspects?
“Yes, of course. It’s just detail as we know the boat inside out and prior to the dismasting we’d already validated a huge number of elements. We’re making the hull below the waterline smooth with some fine appendages and we’re overhauling the electronics, but all in all we haven’t had any nasty surprises and all’s going well. Ultimately, we’ll be very close to our usual configuration.”

Will MACSF be a little bit faster with her new mast?
“We hope she’ll be a tad quicker, yes! We’re always going to gain a bit of speed as we’re making her lighter here and there, with the notable addition of some new, lighter sails. That said, I’m not obsessive about stripping the weight off her. My primary focus really is the safety factors, as the idea is naturally to complete the round the world. We’re putting everything in place to make that a reality.”

In the meantime, you’re sailing a fine multihull, a TS 42…
“Yes, there’s no point hanging around the yard where my team, four of us in all, are taking things forward nicely. I personally believe it’s better to be out sailing, which is why I’ve participated with the TS42 in the Record SNSM and the Brest Maritime Festival too. I think it’s important to stay in contact with the water and be at sea, even if it’s not aboard the boat with which I’ll be competing in the Vendée Globe.”

On these occasions, we’ve seen you sailing with another figure from the Vendée Globe, Alessandro Di Benedetto…
“Yes, I really like Alessandro. We exchange a great many ideas and I appreciate the way he sails. We tell each other tales of the sea and we share ideas with my partners from MACSF and talk long and hard about technique. He gives out very sound advice about matters related to the class measurement for example. Our discussions really strike a chord with the way I want to sail in the Vendée Globe, namely setting sail with a reliable boat and trying to get her right the way to the finish line in Les Sables d’Olonne.”