PRYSMIAN GROUP

StMichel-Paprec was one of this new generation of secondary foils and the fine-tuning was no easy task with a launch just two months before the start of a rather lively Transat Jacques Vabre in 2015: Jean-Pierre Dick and Fabien Delahaye retiring following the breakage of the forward stringer. The former solo sailor then got in some training in Portugal before linking onto The Transat (3rd) and the New York-Vendée (10th), where he hit a UFO and made a technical pit stop in Newport. Unfortunately during his preparation for the Vendée Globe 2016, he collided with a fishing boat offshore of Ile de Groix. Some new foils were fitted for the solo round the world, the skipper finishing in 4th place before going on to sail with Yann Éliès for the Transat Jacques Vabre 2017, which the duo won (JP’s fourth success!). Yann Éliès took on the batten for the Route du Rhum 2018 (2nd) before Giancarlo Pedote purchased the boat. In 2019, Giancarlo Pedote is embarking on the Vendée Globe 2020 project with Prysmian Group and Electriciens sans Frontières. Teamed up with Anthony Marchand, the Italian took the W’ly option, which proved to be a dead end in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2019 (17th). The boat has not undergone any major development since her launch. After an assiduous investment in all the races of the year, the Italian sailor is embarking on his first round-the-world race. During 80 days, Giancarlo has been able to preserve his boat while staying with the leading group with determination. He finished 8th, only a few hours after the winner of the race. In 2021, the Italian skipper and Prysmian Group had a great season, concluded by a 6th place in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Martin Lepape. The winter is then put to good use by the team, which carries out a major refit with the grafting of a new bow, rounded, thus modernizing the hull of this 2015 Verdier design. A large Italian flag was also added to the back of the boat and on the rudders, adding a touch of style for 2022!