In all things, misfortune is good, says the adage. It seems that since the spectacular rupture of his boat during the last Vendée Globe and his miraculous rescue by Jean Le Cam, Kevin Escoffier has benefited from the benevolence of a good fairy. “In my misfortune, I am lucky that PRB continues to follow me, I am lucky to have found this hull which will allow me to sail again early and to have a new boat at a lower cost. “.
Of all the skippers in the IMOCA class, Kevin Escoffier is one of the first to bring a new and almost finished hull into his shed. A major asset when you know the difficulties and the development time of these overpowered and almost flying sailboats of 18.28 meters.
Recovered from an abandoned project
To succeed in this feat, the Malouin benefited from a stroke of luck (the good fairy?). In a Southampton yard in the south of England, a black carbon hull, built for Americans who wanted to do the Ocean Race, was for sale. A beautiful hull, abandoned for a year, designed by the French architectural firm Guillaume Verdier. A must ! A few modifications to the bow and a long journey in an exceptional convoy later, the PRB team took delivery of its new baby on Thursday. Obviously the story is very short.
– Frederick Colas
Launched in April
“99% of the composite is made, details Kevin escoffier, broad smile across his face. There remains the fittings, the electronics and the paint. The foils are under construction, the mast and the rudders are ready“. So it’s time for a few weeks of work in Lorient and if all goes well, the first tacks will be drawn at the end of April. Six months before the start of the Route du Rhum, which the Malouin would not miss under no circumstances. On the tarpaulin surrounding the hull, to celebrate this rebirth, a member of his team wrote him “Give Me Paillettes Kevin”. He was amazed!
– Frederick Colas