Pen Duick VI was launched in Lorient on December 14th. Marie Tabarly and the young crew she recruited last summer set off for Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, where they will start the RORC Transatlantic on January 8th, 2023, before continuing with preparatory races for the round-the-world race in 2023. We took note of the impressions of Marie Tabarly, captain of Pen Duick VI.
“He’s amazing!” "I have never seen the Pen Duick VI so beautiful! For its fiftieth anniversary, Marie Tabarly offered a major overhaul to her legendary ketch: " It has been restored to almost its full original potential "The goal of these months of work was not only to make the beautiful black hull shine, but also to design improvements to improve performance with the goal of the Ocean Globe Race.
« We dismantled everything, inspected everything, and replaced whatever needed replacing. The hull, vertical rigging, and interiors were all redone. The aluminum structure was inspected and cleaned. All of this was done on time, on budget, and with a focus on performance. " concludes Marie Tabarly, captain of Pen Duick VI.
A long and meticulous work
The hull was one of the big and long files of the project: " It was necessary to go step by step between the application of the coating, the sanding which required hours of meticulous work, the play of light to ensure a beautiful, smooth work... and if necessary repeat the coating and the sanding... etc.
It was tense because it is difficult to find qualified workers to work on this type of boat, plus we lacked a little time to bring the boat back to 100% of its potential... but Pen Duick is already very, very clean. For the first time we applied glossy lacquer: it has become superb!
In short, we celebrated its 50th anniversary by putting the little plast in the big ones! » …and for the Ocean Globe Race.
We are not here for second place!
The good results of the 2022 season (victories in the Drheam Cup and the British Isles Tour) have encouraged and galvanized the team. The whole team is very positive! We're still missing our new sails, so we'll have room for improvement in the future, but we obviously have a card to play in the Ocean Globe Race. I don't want to overlook that. »
The Memorial step by step
Before that, there's no question of skipping any steps. In a few hours, Marie and her crew will set off into the heart of the winter depressions: "This will be the first time my young team will sail in winter. December sailing isn't ideal, which is why we're going to take it gradually."
Create a team
So over the next 4 months, between deliveries and regattas, the 22 crew members recruited for the Ocean Globe Race will take turns aboard Pen Duick VI: " The goal is to train, to continue understanding the boat. To create a team bond as well… if we get results, it's even better! »
Sports program… autumn was devoted to the technical work in Lorient and December 14 saw the launching of Pen Duick VI followed by a delivery to Lanzarote.
Programme… on January 8th, the RORC Transatlantic Race will start, then on February 20th, we will see the start of the RORC Caribbean 600 followed by the training delivery to New York with the Esprit d'Equipe, with the return Transat in March, and in spring-summer the technical preparations, training and partner outings to be at the start of the Ocean Globe Race on September 10th, 2023.
About Elemen'Terre: the Heritage… 18 projects in preparation
Elemen'Terre is a floating think tank dedicated to returning to simple, elementary thought and action. Pen-Duick VI is the flagship of this association.
Heritage permeates all areas that drive us forward: social, cultural, historical, financial, scientific, etc. We have inherited from past generations a world that we will bequeath to future generations.
Are we sure of what we're going to pass on? Eighteen Earth Volunteers, among the 22 crew members, are currently improving their environmental or social projects related to their legacy. These personal projects were part of the selection criteria for boarding the Pen Duick VI. These programs will be unveiled during the Ocean Globe Race.
About Elemen'Terre Legacy
Elemen'Terre Legacy aims to create connections between businesses and young people in their communities by co-structuring educational programs based on socio-ecological issues (biodiversity, coastal protection, low-tech economic activities). These programs target all youth and are suitable for children in school, out of school, or hospitalized.
Elemen'terre Legacy provides businesses with an answer to a key question: what legacy will you leave in your region? The pilot phase of the program began in Brittany in September 2022 and hopes to expand to mainland France and the French overseas territories.
André Tirlet
