Velux 5 Oceans - Skipper profile Christophe Bullens

by Velux 5 Oceans on 15 Oct 2010 Velux 5 Oceans - Skipper Profile

Name: Christophe Bullens

Age: 48
Hometown: Diksmuide, Belgium
Class: Eco 60
Boat: Five Ocean of Smiles
Website: www.atlantic60.eu
Family: Partner Emilie Penninckx

When 17-year-old Christophe Bullens first took the water in 1978, it was actually on a powerboat. The young Belgian had decided sailing couldn't be fun because they just weren't as quick as powerboats. Then one day a friend took Christophe out to sea on his yacht and after giving him the helm, disappeared into the cabin, closing the hatch behind him. Several hours later his friend emerged to find Christophe a sailing convert. A few months later Christophe took part in his first race and there began a love affair that remains to this day.

Eight years spent in the Belgian military as a tank commander then followed but when he was posted to Germany Christophe realised he needed a change of direction ? there was nowhere to sail nearby! Since leaving the military in 1986 Christophe has worked in, on and around boats, whether doing yacht deliveries, charters or working in boatyards. Today Christophe is a force to be reckoned with in the world of sailing.

He is a former Belgian national champion as well as a six times winner of the North Sea Championships. In 2008 Christophe took first place in the Transat Quebec-St. Malo in his FICO Class and in 2009 he competed against some of the top Open 60 skippers in the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Each year Christophe, who runs yacht charter company Atlantic 60, sails more than 10,000 nautical miles. For the 2010/11 VELUX 5 OCEANS, he has got his hands on an Eco 60 with a rich racing pedigree. Despite being one of the older boats in the race, built in 1992, Red Sapphire has more than proved its potential with consistent results in top races such as the Transat Jacques Vabre. Christophe has since renamed her Five Ocean of Smiles after the Smiles charity which supports children who are HIV positive. Christophe will race in their name and try to involve the children in his campaign.

The yacht

Name: Five Oceans of Smiles

Following the recent dismasting of his original yacht on the way to la Rochelle, Christohpe will be racing on Artech which he has jsut acquired. Artech was built for the 2002 Route du Rhum by Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty and skippered by Elie Canivenc as Leasecom.

Three years later Dejeanty raced her with co-skipper Alexandre Toulorge in the Transat Jacques Vabre under the name Maisonneuve-Région Basse Normandie.

Currently lying in Lorient, she is race ready and will be delivered to La Rochelle by the weekend.