Grand Pavois – Amazing sailors and prestigious boats!

by Véronique Largeau on 27 Aug 2010 Grand Pavois will see some amazing sailors and prestigious boats this year.

The Ecotroll
The boat left Lyon to join Greenland in May to study the local fauna and flora. The team, composed of Eric Brossier (oceanography engineer and skipper of 'Vagabond') and his partner France Pinczon du Sel, will stop to La Rochelle on their way back to present the boat.

It is a 12 meters seafaring powerboat built by 'Meta'. The propulsion is provided by two parallel hybrid systems manufactured by 'Nanni Diesel'. The Ecotroll is also equipped with a 40-m² kite to accelerate the speed of the ship and save fuel. 'The controlled and optimized energies troller' as they define her. She combines environmental science and education.

Website: www.web.ecotroll.net


Alessandro Di Benedetto: Around the world solo on a 6.50
Back from his around the world single-handed, without landing and non-assisted challenge on a 6.5 meters boat, on the 22nd of July, he needed 268 days 19 hours and 36 minutes to complete the circuit that he begun on the 26th of October 2009.

'It was really fantastic, for me it's a dream! I always thought it was doable, however plenty of people told me that I was crazy and I will die.' Almost 25,000 nautical miles on such a small boat! This is Alessandro Di Benedetto’s feat. He will come at the Grand Pavois to talk about his challenge and show his boat – Rolland design, ex-Hakuna Matata built by Ollivier Bordeau 15 years ago. Dismasting, lightning, happiness, lots of stories to listen to.

Website: www.alessandrodibenedetto.net


Corentin de Chatelperron and Tara Tari
Corentin de Chatelperron has built a small Bengali fishing boat called the Tara Tari, named after the yard where she was built. Designed by VPLP, Tara Tari is 'made in Bangladesh' with products from a demolition yard of Chittagong and made of 40% of jute and 60% of glass fibre.

Nine meters long and two meters wide, Corentin takes the chance with his boat to show that Bangladesh can have ecological and economical solutions. Solutions that are essential for the survival of a country ravaged by the consequences of climate disturbances: cyclones, floods…
He set sails in the beginning of the year from Bangladesh, with the support of Yves Marre founder of the Tara Tari yard and from the association Friendship, Corentin has reached French coast in August and will come to the Grand Pavois to present his boat and tell us more about his story.

Website: www.tara-tari.blogspot.com


The Spray of Saint Briac....
He left in 2005 for an around the world trip, single-handed, without stopovers, Guy Bernardin was one of the first 13 sailors of the 1989 Vendée Globe. He will be at the Grand Pavois in September with his Spray of Saint Briac, an exact replica of the XVIIIth century boat and of Joshua Slocum’s Spray.

From 1895 to 1898 Joshua Slocum sailed the first round-the-world trip; 74,000 km crossed in three years and 13 stopovers. 'After reading Slocum’s book, I was intrigued. There were things that seem unreal. I wanted to check'. Thus a century after Joshua Soclum, and at the same age, Guy Bernardin followed his path. Emotions, joys, fears...

Website: www.Guy.bernardin.free.fr



Tahitians boats
Tahiti and her islands is the guest of honour of the Grand Pavois. Several types of canoes will be displayed at the show with the sailing canoe and the double canoe. These boats are designed, originally for fishing and are carved into the purau trunk (hibiscus tiliaceus). They have always inspired shipyards. During the show, visitors will enjoy these boats that came for some from the other side of the world and will have the possibility to practice.

Presence of the Yacht Club Classique
The Yacht Club Classique was created five years ago. Before that they used to have a close collaboration with the 'Musée Maritime de La Rochelle' for ten years. Today, the club count 250 members and 80 of them are shipowners.

Managed by François Frey, the Yacht Club Classique has developed over the years with the major yacht clubs of the West Atlantic, an annual 12 courses regatta called the 'French Challenge Classique Atlantique' that takes place all along the Atlantic coast and the Channel, from April to October… In 2009, 90 boats participated to this regatta. The YCC has created in 1995 the 'Jauge Classique' that gives to all boats the same opportunity to win. 200 boats have adopted the 'Jauge Classique'.

The club that is managed by real fans of the 'Belle Plaisance', has beautiful vessels like Bernard Moitessier’s boat the legendary Joshua (Knocker Design 1962) that will be displayed again at the Grand Pavois, as well as numerous Sergent, Cornu, Merle Sparkman & Stephens, Illingworth, Carter, Camatte designs and William Fife III design with Merry Dancer and Viola or Mylne’s with Lady Trix...

Historical designers that have put a mark in the history of the America's Cup and major ocean races. Every day, it will be possible to discover prestigious boats that have remarkable stories at the Event pontoon (pontoon 15) and in the Wood Village. You will be able to meet the leaders of the Club and learn more about the regatta 'Grand Pavois' that is held during the fair, in Brittany.


What you need to know…
Name: Le Grand Pavois
Venue: Port des Minimes in La Rochelle
Dates: Wednesday 15th / Monday 20th September 2010 from 10 a.m to 7 p.m
Area: 100 000 m2
Exhibitors: 850 from 35 countries
Boats: More than 700 with 300 afloat
Specificities: Villages and theme spaces, trials at sea, World previews…
Visitors: 100 000 plus!
Guest of honour country: Tahiti and her Islands


For more information, please go to: www.grand-pavois.com