The Transat CIC: A new beginning for Bellion and a return to solo racing for Pedote
For Éric Bellion The Transat CIC, which starts from Lorient bound for New York on Sunday, is a huge moment in his journey to this year’s Vendée Globe.
•••Age | 48 (3/15/76) |
---|---|
Top performance | 1st rookie in the 2016-17 Vendée Globe |
Joined Imoca on | 2014 |
Team | STAND AS ONE |
Base | Port-La-Forêt (FRANCE) |
Partners | Altavia, Workday, SAIPOL, GROUPE AVRIL, BFM Business |
Commitment | STAND AS ONE |
Not only a sailor, but also a writer, film-maker and television columnist, Éric has been promoting the richness of difference for over 20 years.
After a round-the-world solidarity voyage on Kifouine between 2003 and 2006, a record-breaking voyage between Brittany and Mauritius with the Défi Intégration in 2010, and the creation of Team Jolokia in 2011, Éric Bellion set out on the Vendée Globe in 2016 to convey a message about the richness of difference.
He finished 9th, 1st rookie, after 99 days and asserted at the finish that "doing and experiencing different things with different people, that's where happiness lies."
Six years later, although he had sworn he wouldn't go back, Éric decided to set up a new IMOCA project with a view to a second participation, always with this idea of passing on what the ocean teaches him, including how to manage doubts and fear.
Teaming up with Jean Le Cam on this new project, the two skippers have taken their collaboration to an all-time high, pooling everything (knowledge, budget, partner...) to build two 100% identical boats. They wanted a sober, efficient and solid boat to sail around the world. The aim is also to prove that it is possible to build a new boat at lower cost.
Eric Bellion will be the first to launch his IMOCA in June 2023. With co-skipper Martin Le Pape, they take part in the Défi Azimut and the Transat Jacques Vabre, but due to electronics damage and a collision with OFNI, they fail to finish either race.
2018: Route du Rhum (RhumMono) - out of time
2016-17: Vendée Globe - 9th
Name | STAND AS ONE |
---|---|
Sail number | FRA 5 |
Architect | David Raison |
Construction | 2022, Persico Marine |
Length | 18,28 m |
Beam | NC |
Draught | 4,5 m |
Weight | NC |
Mast height | 29 m |
Mast type | Wing mast |
Foils | No |
Sail area max. | |
Upwind | NC |
Downwind | NC |
For Éric Bellion The Transat CIC, which starts from Lorient bound for New York on Sunday, is a huge moment in his journey to this year’s Vendée Globe.
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