THE NEW VERSION OF THE IDEC SPORT MAXI-TRIMARAN SAILS HIGHER, FASTER AND IS LIGHTER

Francis Joyon and his team have been testing the new version of the IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran for several days. The VPLP designed boat from 2006 has just come out of the yard after a three month long refit during the winter, during which she was made lighter, updated, rejuvenated and fitted with a new shape of foils aimed at offering more lift to the boat. Her first trials confirm that this has given her extra stability and she feels more balanced at the helm.

“We are due to leave La Trinité sur Mer next week to head for the Mediterranean,” announced Francis after a fine first week of sailing aboard an IDEC SPORT that has changed considerably. “We will make the most of this long delivery trip to Marseille and Nice (Nice Ultimed from 25^th April to 6^th May) to work on the adjustments and get to know the boat now that she is fitted with her new foils. We will be able to test our new rudders out at sea. The first trials with the foils with the new shape have been very positive. The lift has increased by around 30% and in very little wind we easily got up to 32 knots of speed. The new autopilots and mainsail track make IDEC SPORT very pleasant to steer. It really feels like she has made incredible gains in terms of balance and stability.” The IDEC SPORT maxi-trimaran will shortly be fitted with T-shaped rudders, the effect of which in conjunction with the new foils should enable her to rise even further out of the water.

The long delivery trip around Spain and Portugal and into the Mediterranean will also be an opportunity to find out more about the electronic and computer gear on board, as these too have been renewed. While Francis Joyon and his men are looking forward to the battle in the Med against the fleet of Ultimes, the skipper of IDEC SPORT is already concentrating on the Route du Rhum, which starts from St. Malo on 4^th November. “We will be doing the delivery trip to Nice with a very small crew,” he explained. “The idea is to enable me to carry out manoeuvres as much as I can alone and to master sailing the boat single-handedly.”