Vendée Globe – Didac Costa, a candidate on the right track

by OB / Mer and Media on 3 Jun 2016 He may become the fourth Spaniard to take part in the Vendée Globe since it was created back in 1989. With this in mind, Didac Costa is preparing aboard a legendary boat, the former Kingfisher aboard which Ellen MacArthur finished second in the solo round the world race in 2000-2001.

Fourth in the last Barcelona World Race aboard this same boat, Didac wishes to repeat sailing solo what he achieved sailing double-handed. For the moment, he is busy carrying out the sailing requirements and hopes to be able to join the list of candidates registered for the next Vendée Globe.

Didac Costa, 35, knows his way around. Last year, along with his compatriot, Aleix Gelabert, he took part in the Barcelona World Race, the double-handed round the world race. Rookies as far as sailing 60-foot IMOCAs was concerned, sailing on an old boat, the two men finished in an honourable fourth place after 98 days at sea.

“This positive experience gave me the strength to launch a project,” explained Didac Costa, who had no hesitation in keeping the Owen Clarke designed boat first launched in 2000, which has clocked up an incredible number of miles. “She’s a reliable boat that I know well,” explained the Spanish skipper. “The former Kingfisher will set sail in the Vendée Globe for the second time after the 2000-2001 edition, when she was in the hands of Ellen MacArthur. The boat has also competed in three Barcelona World Races. The fact that we have such a famous boat could help us with this project. For the general public, it will also be interesting to see this monohull again at the start of the Vendée Globe after so many years.”

“I’ll shortly be on the list of those registered”

Aboard his 60-foot boat, Didac Costa recently sailed 1500 miles alone, sailing around a long course in the Mediterranean. In so doing, he obtained his qualification for the Vendée Globe.

“During this trip, there was something different to deal with and it wasn’t the easiest of things: sailing an IMOCA alone. This was a first for me, but everything went well,” he proudfly announced. This qualification stage is all the more important, as Didac is not yet one of the 27 skippers officially registered for the next Vendée Globe. He is on the list of sailors, who have completed the paperwork, but have not yet completed all the sailing requirements.” We did all the official stuff, successfully got through the various tests and have fulfilled the requirements of the IMOCA class. Everything is in place, so I should soon be on the official list of those registered,” promised Didac Costa. Since the launch of his project, he has been doing a lot of IMOCA sailing, of course, but has also sailed on a Figaro and Mini 6.50. His 60-foot boat is back in the yard for a final refit before the Vendée Globe.

What about the budget?
Didac, who is chartering his boat from the FNOB, has found secondary partners, but is still looking for his headline partner. “I remain optimistic and the likelihood of shortly joining the list of those registered should give me a boost to convince partners,” he said. “The boat is based in Barcelona and I really want to set up a Spanish project. Some local businesses are already backing me, but if sponsors appear from other countries, that would be good too, as it would make it a more international project.”

“Once you have sailed in the Southen Ocean, you can think of only one thing and that is getting back out there”

Only three Spanish sailors have so far taken part in the Vendée Globe since it was created 27 years ago. They are José de Urgate, Javier Sanso and the Basque sailor Unaï Basurko. Didac Costa: “Ocean racing is not so much part of our culture in Spain as it is in France. The general public and media are not as interested. But things are starting to change, particularly after three editions of the Barcelona World Race, an event, which has helped Spanish sailors enter this world. Now that things are moving, we need to continue by taking part in the Vendée Globe. That takes time, which is natural. You can’t change things overnight.”

Didac Costa has been dreaming of the Vendée Globe since he was a youngster and his various ocean racing experiences have only strengthened his resolve. “I went through some exceptional moments in the Barcelona World Race,” he told us. “Taking part in the solo round the world race is the next logical step for me. Once you have sailed in the Southern Ocean, you can only think of one thing and that is getting back out there.”