First of Veolia Oceans singlehanded RTW racers

by Veolia Oceans media on 26 Oct 2007
The first of the one-design monohull Veolia Oceans series was launched at Caen by Marc Lefebvre from V1D2 yard in the presence of Jean-Marie Finot the architect, Jean-Marie Vaur from JMV Industries (Cherbourg) the builder, almost two years prior to the start day of the first edition of the SolOceans set for 25 October 2009.

Let us recall that the SolOceans is the first single-handed oceanic round the world race sailed on equal footing on sixteen-metre (52.5') high-tech one-design monohulls all identical to each other: the Veolia Oceans. This class has been named Veolia Oceans=AE after the Main Sponsor of the SolOceans race, Veolia Environmental Services. The race will start in Lower Normandy (France) and will stopover in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, with a finish back in Lower Normandy (France). The start of the first SolOceans is set for 25 October 2009. The SolOceans will then be run every two years (2011, 2013, 2015).

'It is a very emotional moment' declared Yvan Griboval, initiator of the monohull, creator of the SolOceans and President of SailingOne. 'I imagined this sailing yacht in the spring of 2005 and she is touching the water today.

'It means loads of works taking shape thanks to a team of a high quality lead by Christian Brit, in charge of the production of the Veolia Oceans. Thanks to our sponsors whether it is Veolia Environmental Services or the Regional Council of Lower Normandy. And, thanks to all the famous skilled workers who play a major part in the building process of the series'.

The mast built by Beat Wildberger from Alucarbon at Vieux Thann near Mulhouse will arrive in Caen today. The sails made by North Sails France will arrive directly from Vannes (Brittany) on Thursday morning. The masting will be done on Thursday 25 October. Friday will be dedicated to some adjustments for her first sailing session.

At 08.30 pm on Friday 26 October, a team composed by Yvan Griboval, Jean-Baptiste Daramy, Erwan Lebec, Erwan Tabarly and Benjamin Vernires will leave the harbour of Ouistreham and head for Cherbourg. It will be the very first run of the Veolia Oceans.

On Saturday 27 October at around 10.00 am, the first Veolia Oceans monohull will enter in Cherbourg harbour, its port of registry, where the hull and the deck came into being at JMV Industries. She will then reach Pontoon Q at around 11.00 am from where she will be christened according to tradition.

Everything is organised for the general public, in order for them to live this important moment in the life of the Veolia Oceans series and then share a glass of Norman Cider with the team and the sponsors' guests including the local council representatives gathered around the MP and Mayor of Cherbourg-Octeville, Bernard Cazeneuve.