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Jean Le Cam News

20 Nov 2018

Ponant Tests New Sail System

The French-flag cruise line Ponant is testing the Solid Sail concept on its vessel Le Ponant. Tests are being conducted with maritime construction company Chantiers de l’Atlantique as part of the sailing cruise-vessel project Silenseas, launched two years ago.Two patents have been filed—in 2009 and 2017—for the new type of sail, made of fibreglass, carbon and epoxy-resin panels in a carbon-slat frame. This new technology will significantly reduce energy consumption tied to propulsion, and thus considerably reduce the environmental impact."When Chantiers de l’Atlantique offered to collaborate with us on solid-sail technology, we were immediately interested.

11 Jan 2013

Single-handed Yacht Race Leaders Soon in Tradewinds

Race Leader François Gabart: Photo credit Vendee Globe

The duel between leaders in the Vendee Globe round-the-world race, 'MACIF' and 'Banque Populaire' stalls in light airs. With the official abandonment of Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) there remain only 12 boats in the race. The skipper of Cheminées Poujoulat pitstopped last night on the island of Horn refuelled, charged his batteries, climbed the mast to change a halyard, and to eat some pork and lentils prepared by the girlfriend of Unaï Bazurko. Leaders soon will be in the tradewinds The duel between MACIF and Banque Populaire is now stalled by light airs.

28 Dec 2012

Yacht Race Leaders: Cape of Good Hope by New Year?

Armel Le Cléac’h: Photo credit Vendee Globe Race 2012/13

Vendee Globe leaders Armel Le Cléac’h and his long time running partner François Gabart passed into the Pacific Ocean 9 days ago. As was widely predicted, the twosome have finally been slowed through today. It has been the two skippers which are chasing hard behind, Jean-Pierre Dick and Alex Thomson, who have finally been granted the chance to shine. Dick and Thomson are riding up on a fast moving low pressure system which will ultimately reach and rescue the two leaders from…

03 Dec 2012

Vendee Globe Race Yachts in Albatross Seas

François Gabart (Macif): Photo credit Vendee Globe

The first five in the Vendee Glove single-handed race 2012-13 have passed the Gate of Aiguilles The gap widens between the front and back of the fleet. Only 30 minutes. This is the gap that separated the first boat through the Gate of Aiguilles, François Gabart (MACIF) and the third boat, Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire); a metaphorical photo finish in a race that covers 24,000 miles. It is incredible that the boats are racing so tightly. At 0400 GMT, this morning, there was only a mere 14 miles separating the three leaders in this nail biting edition of the 2012 Vendée Globe.