A steady stream of Vendee Globe pilgrims beats a path to the matt black IMOCA, in which ‘Le Roi’ Jean (Le Cam) contested the 2024 race. Aged 66. He (for French boats are male) is the apogee of daggerboard design. But proved no match for the latest generation of foilers. Even with the wily master of strategy at the helm.
Hubert languishes ashore, forgotten, in a far corner of the yard. Named, by Jean, in memory of the late Hubert Desjoyeux. (Co-founder, with Jean, of Port La Foret's CDK Technologies.) Who built this historic IMOCA. Which Mich Desjoyeux (son of Hubert Desjoyeux), sailed to victory in the 2008 Vendee Globe.
Jean Le Cam achieved a fourth place, in 2020, aboard Hubert. Clear ahead of all, bar three, of the new build foiling boats, as well as all daggerboarders. Despite pausing mid-race to rescue fellow competitor Kevin Escoffier. Whose IMOCA broke in two and sank. This performance, along with his KISS instincts and budget constraints, prompted Jean to commission a David Raison daggerboard boat for the 2024 race.
The story was not over for Hubert, however. Completing his fifth Vendee Globe, in 2024, with Violette Dorange as skipper. The youngest ever female Vendee Globe entrant. The IMOCA loaned to her, by mentor Jean Le Cam. Violette's race checklist even now visible, pasted to Hubert's bulkhead. 'Check halyards before nightfall,' her final task each day.
Fellow design geeks will notice Hubert’s chined (knuckled) stern. That chine beginning softly at the bow (second picture). Before becoming more pronounced, as it runs aft (above). A feature that is de rigueur on contemporary hull designs. To maximise sail carrying power. But which Hubert has employed for the past nineteen years.
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