Louis methodically and discreetly prepares for his second Vendée Globe

by OB / Mer and Media on 20 May 2016 He is methodically and discreetly preparing for his second Vendée Globe. Since he entered the IMOCA circuit five years ago, Louis Burton has completed three Transat Jacques Vabre races (in 2011, 2013 and 2015), one Transat B to B (in 2011) and a Route du Rhum (in 2014).

The only disappointment was his early retirement from the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe after a collision with a trawler. But the skipper of Bureau Vallée learnt a lot from this experience in terms of his preparation and coping with the stress. Among the skippers lining up in the next edition of the solo round the world race, Louis Burton has had his boat for the longest time. We find out more.

Louis, you aren’t taking part in the New York/Vendée, which will see many boats from the Vendée Globe fleet and looks like being an interesting competition with five months to go to the big event. Why did you take this decision?
”I have done a lot of sailing over the past three years and I’m already qualified for the Vendée Globe. We wanted to take our time carrying out a refit to ensure the boat is reliable, and nothing is left to chance. I didn’t want to rush this or feel any stress in getting things done.”

Did you have to look at the financial aspect too?
“Yes. When we relaunched the project in 2013, after the last Vendée Globe, neither the New York/Vendée, nor the Transat were on the official calendar. Our programme has been clear since the start: the 2014 Route du Rhum, the 2015 Transat Jacques Vabre and the 2016-2017 Vendée Globe. We didn’t have the budget to take part in any other major races. Once again, we preferred to use our budget on ensuring the boat was in good conditon.”

We can imagine however that you have been following The Transat closely…

“All the time! During the race, I read all the news, I tried out several routing plans trying to understand the speed differences between the boats with foils and those with straight daggerboards. This is something that fascinates me and could potentially affect the future of the project. If everything slots into place with my partners and we take part in the next Vendée Globe in 2020, we won’t build a boat, but will buy one.”
“A new system to protect the cockpit, a new keel, a new set of sails…”

You mentioned you’re currently doing a major refit on the boat (a Farr design from 2006). What exactly is happening?
“This is a major piece of work. We started out from scratch on some points, without going crazy in fine tuning her. In the Transat Jacques Vabre, we broke a ballast tank on the way out of the Channel, so that needed replacing. That incident also damaged the electronics and electrical systems. We are fitting new and better gear. During the refit, we’re also installing a new system to protect the cockpit, as it got very wet there on my boat, as there wasn’t any cover. For the 2012 Vendée Globe, we fitted a cloth solution, but it didn’t really work well. This time, we’re fitting a real extension to the coach roof a bit higher up and with plexiglass to be able to stay dry at the helm. That will change a lot in terms of how comfortable the boat is. Bureau Vallée is fitted with a new keel and a new set of sails with a design specifically for the Vendée Globe. But the mast is the same one.”

Is that the mast that Jérémie Beyou used in the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe?
“Yes, but it has been modified since then. Jérémie had to retire from the race because of problems with his spreader attachments. We reinforced that system with unbreakable fittings that have been tried and tested. In 2008-2009, Loïck Peyron’s Gitana Eighty was also dismasted with the same spar. We therefore strengthened the base of the mast with a new system of boom vang, which applies much less compression to the mast, when the boat slams into waves. The rigging cables have also been replaced.”
“In terms of the preparation, I know what I must do and what to avoid”

Bureau Vallée will be relaunched in June. What is your programme after that?
“We’ll start with a fortnight of sea trials to get things going again. In July, we’ll be training in the Channel and meeting up with Bureau Vallée stores and schools along the coast (editor’s note - Louis Burton has chosen St Malo as the home port for his IMOCA). We have scheduled a timetable with my partner to get the most out of the project, including ashore. During the refit, I towed around a Bureau Vallée Surprise boat. I’m all over the place talking about the project, explaining everything about this world of ours to people, who don’t really know much about it. I can see that the Vendée Globe appeals to everyone. Everywhere I go in France, everyone seems to know this race. After travelling around the Channel, I’ll do some solo sailing just out in the Atlantic from 15th July to the 15th August to get used to all the modifications we have made. We need to get all this sorted before mid-September. I’ll take part in the Azimut Challenge in Lorient before heading down to Les Sables d’Olonne. We have been cautious setting up our programme with the aim of having as few things to do as possible, once we get to Les Sables.”

You’ve learnt a lot from having to prepare so quickly for your 2012-2013 Vendée Globe…
“I do indeed have that experience from 2012 when everything was rushed with the pressure being piled on us. We had to do a lot of stuff in the final three weeks leading up to the start. At the start I was very tired and not calm enough. This time, I’ll be setting off with a project that has been running for three years. I have a loyal partner, have clocked up a lot of miles, and the technical staff has been in place for five years. That will mean I’ll be in good shape at the start and so able to give it my all out on the water. The Vendée Globe is the only race I haven’t managed to finish and I’m feeling confident about this year’s race. I’ll be able to cope better with the pressure and the feeling that I’m setting off on a very long voyage, and that special atmosphere linked to the history of the event.... I’m giving myself targets that match the boat’s ability and my experience.”

What do you mean exactly?
“My ambition aim is to get all the way around and try to be up there as far as I can in particular with the boats from the same generation as mine. There’s going to be a real battle between the boats designed for the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe. What that means is that it is possible to do well even if you don’t have a huge budget or the very latest boat. That is a huge motivation and is even essential. I probably wouldn’t sail around the world alone without this competitive aspect… It’s also very interesting for the spectators, who will follow the battle among the lead boats, but also the contests going on behind.”

You’ve already set sail in the Vendée Globe, but there are a lot of things to discover in this challenge, starting with the Southern Ocean…
“I have a lot of experience preparing and know what to do and what to avoid depending on the means at my disposal. Everything else is going to be new. Overall, I have done more sailing completing the transatlantic races than taking part in the Vendée Globe!”