Multihull Rolex Middle Sea Race victory
by The Famous Project 28 Oct 2022 06:40 PDT
Rolex Middle Sea Race 2022 © Kurt Arrigo / Rolex
The Famous Project, launched by Alexia Barrier aims to enter the first all female crew into the Jules Verne Trophy, the fastest round the world non stop sailing race.
There are two phases. Phase One: acquiring a multicoque and training and phase Two: none other than setting the record for the Jules Verne Trophy in 2025.
Victory at the Rolex Middle Sea race aboard the MOD70 Mana!
It was at 00:32:38 UTC on Tuesday, that the MOD70 Mana, skippered by Alexia Barrier and her mixed crew composed of Riccardo Pavoncelli the current owner, Jonny Malbon, Paul Larsen, Tom Dawson, Jeff Mearing, Evan Walker and Kai Weeks crossed the finishing line of the Rolex Middle Race first to win their category.
October 22nd saw the start of the Rolex Middle Sea in the Grand Harbour of Valette in Malta. The competitors embarked on the 606 nautical miles race around Sicily and the Pelagie Islands before returning to Malta. 120 competitors were on the starting line of which 8 multicoques, amongst which the MOD70 Mana. This race enabled Alexia to launch her training phase of The Famous Project aboard the MOD70 Mana (ex-Spindrift) which is in the process of being acquired and which will serve as the training boat for the next two years. A fine promising start!
"The project is officially launched and I am honoured to have skippered this boat surrounded by such talented sailors including Paul Larsen and Jonny Malbon. This was the first step and next time, the female crew will all be by my side" explains Alexia.
The Famous Project was on the water for the Voiles de St Tropez
Thanks to the "Palatine Women Project", the trimaran Mana, proudly navigating under the colors of the Alice Milliat foundation, welcomed aboard more than 80 women business leaders and journalists.
It was alongside Brian Thompson and Jonny Malbon that Alexia Barrier, skipper and founder of The Famous Project and Marie Tabarly, crew member of the project, that the guests were able to discover our ambitious project and its training equipment! Elodie-Jane Mettraux and Dee Caffari, both members of the 100% female crew for the world record attempt of the Jules Verne Trophy in 2025, were also part of the occasion during the speed tests in the Bay of Saint Tropez.
The Alice Milliat foundation is the first European foundation favouring women sports.
She is committed for the female sports to be better integrated in our society. We would like to give our deepest thanks to: Séverine DESBOUYS, Palatine Team: Didier MOATÉ, Patrick IBRY, Thierry Martinez and Lorène Resseguier. Thank You too Samira Draoua, who was also able to come aboard for a run. #Econocom as well as thanking all of our guests who were able to sail with us.
The UNSS launches an operation for the Route du Rhum with Alexia
Alexia will be on site from November 1 in Saint Malo for an operation with l'UNSS (National Union of School Sport). Alongside the skipper, four young middle schoolers from local schools will act as journalists for the day and will go and meet other skippers and their boats who will also be amongst those seeking to cross the Atlantic the fastest possible.
It is with Orange Events, that these youngsters will propose a 360 degrees virtual visit of two boats (an Imoca and an Ultimate) to their class mates in other middle and high schools.
Following which, as soon as the race starts, Sunday November 6th at 14h02, Alexia will join the classes who signed up to the game Virtual Regatta to give them advice and tips on their video in order to best navigate their race.
Update of the ladies of The Famous Project
Elodie Jane Mettraux: was crew master on board the big ketch Sumurun, winner of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
Helena Darvelid: is the fastest woman during the Speed Week at Weymouth!
Marie Riou: is a mother. She is making the most of her time with her new born before the big adventure.
Marie Tabarly: in parallel to preparing The Famous Project, Marie is setting off on an another round the world race as part of a mixed team this time in the Ocean Global Race on board the Pen Duick 6 which will take place in the fall of 2023.
Dee Caffari, Joan Mulloy and Sara Hastreiter, are on stand by for new project.
Become a partner of The Famous Project
A planetary challenge animated by collective intelligence and performance, a project showcasing the universal values of: pushing beyond the limit, excellence and authenticity.
This human and technological exploit at the heart of the ocean aims to inspire and shine in all worlds. The Famous Project seeks to conquer the Jules Verne Trophy, one of the most prestigious trophies in the world of sailing and is the most demanding of all races.
www.thefamousproject.fr/en