From my vantage point, on the battlements, I sight a familiar yellow hull. Moored in a hitherto hidden corner of the harbour.
Eagerly, I set off, along the top of the walls. Seeking a route to get closer.
Threading my way through the fish quays. To find Charlie Dalin's challenger, for the 2024 Vendee Globe race.
We last crossed wakes off Lands End. Stargazer inbound from her Scilly sojourn. Apivia on her way to IMOCA class line honours, in the 2021 Fastnet Race.
Charlie Dalin's campaign, it transpires, has its base here in Concarneau. Under the auspices of Mer Concept. (A company created by 2012 Vendee Globe winner Francois Gabart, in his pursuit of ocean racing excellence).
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The most modern of ocean racing designs: broad quartered planing hull, concave decks, enclosed helm, deck spreader rig and yellow scimitar foils; lies beneath the medieval city walls. Ancient and modern juxtaposed. Each is designed to achieve victory.
There is something in the waters, hereabouts, which breeds radical yachts. Pogo Structures, in Benodet, offers an 'off the peg,' production, foiler. For any member of the public to own and sail.
Here in Concarneau, Maree Haute, builders of the Django range, offers a quartet of fast cruisers. Based on race proven, principles.
An approach also taken by Jean-Pierre Kelbert, founder of the JPK yard, in Lorient. Designer of the winner of the 2021 Fastnet Race (and many another prestigious event), the JPK 1180 Sunrise.
As well as the JPK 39 FC (Fast Cruiser). A slinky contemporary take, on the traditional cruising concept, with performance in her DNA.
What forces have caused this flowering, of unorthodox design, in this most (outwardly) orthodox of settings?
Perhaps it is that, as Soichiro Honda observed, "racing improves the breed." And here racing, particularly short-handed offshore racing, abounds.
Picture Credits
Pogo Foiler courtesy of Pogo Structures
Django 1270 courtesy of Maree Haute
JPK 1180 Sunrise & JPK 39 FC courtesy of JPK Composites
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