SINGCHAIN TEAM HAIKOU

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Country CN

CHN 5

Baptismal nameHelvetia
ArchitectFinot - Conq
Construction2007, Chantier Multiplast, Vannes
Launch date7/17/07
Former namesBrit Air, Votre Nom autour du Monde, Renault Captur, MACSF, La Fabrique
Skipper Jingkun XU

Skipper

Jingkun
XU

Presentation

When Armel Le Cléac’h turned to Groupe Finot for his Vendée Globe campaign, the naval architects had already won four editions in a row (Gautier, Auguin, Desjoyeaux, Riou).

Built by the Multiplast yard in Vannes, Brittany, in 2007, Brit Air definitely featured a more powerful, swifter hull than her predecessors with her sharp lines, her two daggerboards and her pronounced chine. The skipper finished 7th (with Nicolas Troussel) in the Transat Jacques Vabre but the boat dismasted on her return to Europe, before taking 2nd place in The Transat 2008 and then sailing a stellar Vendée Globe (2nd). Two seasons later, he finished 2nd in the Route du Rhum. Taken over by Bertrand de Broc, the monohull added her name to the list of finishers in the round the world race (9th), then the Transat Jacques Vabre 2013 with Arnaud Boissières (6th), but the solo sailor injured himself during the Route du Rhum 2014. The monohull set sail again on the Barcelona World Race with Jörg Riechers and Seb Audigane (6th), prior to another Transat Jacques Vabre 2015 (6th), then the last Vendée Globe came to an abrupt end after hitting a UFO. Swiss sailor Alan Roura took command of the boat in 2017, La Fabrique, securing the Transatlantic record in the summer of 2019 (7d 16h 55’) thanks to her foils installed during the winter refit. In 2022, Xu Jingkun will take over the 60-foot boat with a view to taking part in the Vendée Globe for the first time in 2024. To get the most out of the boat, the Chinese skipper chose to team up with Mike Golding, an atypical duo who finished 33rd in the double-handed transatlantic race. Jackie set off again single-handed towards Lorient, and despite a few difficulties, he finished the race in 31st place.

Length18,28 m
Beam5,90 m
Draught4,50 m
WeightNC
Mast height29 m
Mast typeWing mast
FoilsYes
Sail area max.
Upwind290 m2
Downwind580 m2

Sailing Highlights

2024 : New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne - 26th
2023 : Retour à La Base - 31th
2023 : Transat Café L'Or - 33th
2022 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 29th
2020-2021 : Vendée Globe - 17th
2020 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 14th
2019 : Transat Café L'Or - 21th
2019 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 15th
2019 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 10th
2018 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 7th
2018 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 10th
2018 : Drheam-Cup 700 - 6th
2017 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - Abandon
2016-2017 : Vendée Globe - Abandon le 19/11/2016
2016 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 10th
2015 : Transat Café L'Or - 6th
2014-2015 : Barcelona World Race - 6th
2014 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - Abandon le 3/11
2013 : Transat Café L'Or - 6th
2012-2013 : Vendée Globe - 9th
2010 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 2nd
2009 : Transat Café L'Or - Abandon
2008-2009 : Vendée Globe - 2nd
News
7.2.24

THE LIST OF 40 SKIPPERS UNVEILED

The 2020 edition of the Vendée Globe has generated unprecedented interest. As a result, the organisers decided to increase the number of places at the start to 40 for the 2024 edition. 44 skippers applied for this 10th e…

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News
2.1.24

Get ready for 2024 as the IMOCA Class takes on two Transats and the Vendée Globe

After a spectacular 2023 season, that saw more miles sailed by more sailors in more races than ever before in the IMOCA Class, 2024 now lies ahead – a year that will dominated by two solo transatlantic sprints and then t…

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News
1.23.24

New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne: an international fleet at the start!

While the IMOCA are in winter refit, the organisers of the Vendée Globe are unveiling the details and line-up of their transatlantic race, the New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne, which will start off the coast of the …

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