Les Sables-d’Olonne Vendée Globe. PRIVILÈGE catamarans celebrate their 40th anniversary with Alain Leboeuf and Philippe Jeantot
Foreword
Based in Les Sables d'Olonne, Privilège Marine is a manufacturer of luxury catamarans, founded in 1984 by Philippe Jeantot.
The company has 170 employees. For 40 years, the brand has stood out for its artisanal excellence and technological innovation, creating high-quality catamarans for sailing enthusiasts looking for adventure and comfort.
Privilège Marine offers three different ranges of “Signature catamarans”: the 510, the 580 and the 650.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Privilège Marine and the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, Privilège Marine and the Saem Vendée Globe join forces to “design” a limited series of catamarans intended for “ the ultimate adventure« .
What could be more normal, when society Privilege and the Ocean Race Vendée Globe were both founded by the great and famous navigator Philippe Jeantot !
And it is thanks to him that, from now on, the two Vendée players mentioned above are making Les Sables-d'Olonne, Vendée and France shine on the seas around the world!
A limited series of catamarans
So, on the occasion of these two anniversaries, an exceptional series “embodying the spirit of adventure that unites both Privilège Marine and the legendary solo sailing race around the world » will be launched, indicated Gildas Le Masson, Managing Director of Privilège Marine.
He added:
« It is with great pleasure that we announce today this limited series Privilege Vendée Globe. At the dawn of our 40th anniversary, it embodies all the know-how of our employees and our commitment to designing exceptional catamarans since 1985.
This limited edition reflects our ability to innovate to meet the expectations of our customers and strengthen the position of our shipyard as a reference in the sector of luxury catamarans intended for long-distance cruising. »
So what’s special about these catamarans from the Vendée Globe limited series?
The limited series of Privilège catamarans will be available on a range of catamarans ranging from 50 to 65 feet.
The Limited Series is distinguished by a robust and lightweight design thanks to the use of materials such as carbon.
Inspired by the challenges of the Vendée Globe, these models integrate technologies de navigation even more advanced and autonomous energy systems for optimal safety and performance.
The limited series benefited from the expertise as Technical Advisor of skipper Arnaud Boissières – long-time partner -.
« Arnaud played an essential role in providing his expertise in offshore racing both on a safety aspect and on optimizing performance” declared the Managing Director of Privilège.
They said
Arnaud Boissières, professional skipper:
« It is a real pleasure to collaborate with Privilège Marine. This limited edition combines my experience of the Vendée Globe with their know-how to create catamarans optimized for long journeys. Safety is paramount when traveling the world's oceans. I also advise them to achieve sustainable energy management on board these multihulls. »
Among the choices in the series, apart from the Vendée Globe logo affixed to the hull and the gennois
– the mast and boom are made of carbon;
– specific upholstery;
– designed to withstand the most demanding conditions;
– alliance between lightness and resistance with cutting-edge materials;
– high-level weather equipment;
– a very precise routing system;
– recyclable sails;
– natural wood finishes;
– an energy-efficient autopilot for environmentally friendly navigation.
All designed to combine luxurious comfort and intense sensations at sea.
They said
Alain Leboeuf, President of the Vendée Globe and the Vendé Departmente :
« The Vendee Globe embodies blade of a territory deeply turned towards the mer, riche of know-how and daring companies like Privilège Marine. This limited series of catamarans demonstrates the mind d’innovation Who anime notre Department et of notre ambition commune of share cet unique maritime heritage. »
Philippe Jeantot reveals himself a little…
After the ceremony, a small group remained around Philippe Jeantot, in an aside discussion.
An inevitably fascinating discussion, Philippe recounting his Boc Challenge, the beginnings of the Vendée Globe, his passages around Cape Horn, the organization of the first Vendée Globe, the PC Course in Paris, the shipwrecks of the 1996 edition, his paragliding accident, etc. …
We really had the feeling of being privileged to hear his story, a few steps away from him, even though he had been silent for so long, more than 10 years, when he went to live in Thailand.
A great sailor by all accounts, tremendous victories in Boc, and even if others helped him, even if others financed the race (communities, bank etc.), even if others could have had a similar idea, he remains the real one, the only “creator” of the Vendée Globe.
Jeantot on a latest generation Imoca
During the Press conference organized by Les Sables-d'Olonne with Philippe Jeantot, the Reporter sandlais asked him if he wanted to discover navigation on a latest generation Imoca.
Having sailed on boats of very different designs, he replied that yes, he would really like it. Adding, however, that it would be difficult because the skippers were ten days from departure, still in the final preparations.
But Arnaud Boissières promised to take him on his Imoca “The Cuddly Mie”but on the return from the Ocean Race. During the year, Arnaud Boissières regularly takes guests from La Mie caline or children to discover his Imoca.
So, if Philippe Jeantot is in Les Sables-d'Olonne for the arrivals, he will have the “privilege” of discovering at sea the new Imoca technologies, new designs, navigation aids, etc.
And at a time when we are thinking about the future of the Vendée Globe, the foilers, their speed, etc., his opinion will certainly be very interesting!
Philippe Brossard-Lotz
The Sablais Reporter
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