Team Arkema Lalou Multi: New developments and high ambitions for the 2018 season

by Team Arkema 21 Mar 2018 10:02 GMT

Optimizing the Multi50 and the Mini 6.50 boats, redrawing the sporting organization of the racing team, eyeing victory in the Route du Rhum race for Lalou Roucayrol, arrival of a new skipper at the helm of the Mini.

Following a successful 2017 season crowned with a victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre and a sixth place in the Mini-Transat, team Arkema Lalou Multi is preparing for an exciting year in 2018.

Makeover for the Multi50 Arkema

Following the Transat Jacques Vabre which Lalou Roucayrol and Alex Pella won, the Multi50 Arkema was ferried back to France from Brazil by cargo ship, and, since mid-February, has been undergoing a refit at a shipyard in Port-Médoc. "Above all we had to carry out a thorough check of the structural condition of the boat and the ageing of the materials", explains Lalou. "We haven't found anything troublesome despite the new type of stress induced by the foils during the 2017 season. Our Multi50 is fit and sound in terms of structure, which is reassuring for the future."

This winter refit is an opportunity for major general maintenance for the fittings and the standing rigging, and for installing new sails with optimized profiles. Another area where improvements will be made: optimizing energy efficiency with the fitting of solar panels and a wind turbine to supply all the energy needed, as well as a new system to save time in charging the lithium batteries; diesel will be on board as backup only. Lalou Roucayrol: "This makes sense in terms of weight and it's a fair objective for the Multi50 class to opt for renewable energies. We feel it's important to lead the movement."

Not least among the refit work is the last job, namely upgrading the onboard electronics and I.T. equipment. "Jointly with the company Mad Intec, we are continuing with data acquisition in the navigation system, and we are working on the automatic pilot. It's a key feature when you sail on your own", continues Lalou. The boat is due to be refloated end of March.

"Ready to win the Route du Rhum!"

This various optimization work will result in a 100% efficient boat for the 2018 season, the highlight being the Route du Rhum race (departure from Saint-Malo on 4 November). Meanwhile, the preparation schedule will have been be completed with the Multi 50 Arkema to be showcased at the Arcachon boat show in mid-April, followed by crew events such as the Grand Prix Guyader and the Grand Prix de l'École Navale (with Alex Pella on board) in May, and the Record SNSM in June. On 23 July, Lalou Roucayrol will set off solo on the Drheam Cup race. "This will be a major milestone to qualify for the Route du Rhum. It's going to be a technical course as we will be setting off from La Trinité-sur-Mer before sailing round the Fastnet and finally arriving back in Cherbourg", explains the Multi50 Arkema skipper. The last two events before the Rhum will be the Saint-Brieuc Trophée des Multicoques Baie and the Grand Prix Valdys, in late August and in early September respectively.

In between these events, Lalou is planning solo training sessions so he can be in optimum shape and fully in tune with his exacting sailing craft by early November in Saint-Malo. "This will be the fourth time I have taken part in the Route du Rhum and I have always finished with a podium place (twice 2nd, and once 3rd)", he recalls. "After our victories in the Québec/Saint-Malo crew race in 2016 and then the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre in 2017, we are on the upswing. It's time we won this race which is like no other!"

A new sporting organization within the team

The 2018 season is also marked by a new organization structure within Team Arkema Lalou Multi. The skipper of the Arkema 3 Mini 6.50 in the Mini Transat 2017, Quentin Vlamynck is working his way through the ranks by becoming boat captain of the Multi 50 and therefore "the right-hand man" of Lalou Roucayrol. "My new role consists in managing the technical side of the boat, maintenance, relations with suppliers... In short, the idea is to ease Lalou's mind", explains Quentin. Much to his delight, Quentin Vlamynck will often be sailing alongside Lalou Roucayrol when ferrying the boat and also "false solo" training. The young man will make the most of this experience to further improve his skills on the Multi50, while bringing fresh and helpful eyes to Lalou. One other mission for Quentin will entail passing on the Mini 6.50, now in the hands of a new skipper...

Mini 6.50 Arkema 3: Raphaël Lutard at the helm

Raphaël Lutard, who previously was involved in preparing this innovative boat, is the lucky one. Born in the Bassin d'Arcachon area, 22 year old Raphaël is preparing to taking up this huge challenge while discovering solo ocean racing. He has a solid experience in the Laser and in the Open 5.70, and excellent knowledge of the Mini, as he followed its construction and assisted Quentin Vlamynck in preparing for the Mini Transat.

"It's a major turning point for me and a leap into the unknown. I'm not stressed but rather I feel positively excited. It's going to be a great journey of discovery", Raphaël says eagerly, knowing he will be able to count on Quentin to take over as a solo sailor. Together, they will take part in the first race of the season in early April, the Plastimo Lorient Mini 6.50 (250 miles double-handed). Then for Raphaël three solo races: the Pornichet Select (300 miles) and the Mini in May (500 miles), before the highlight of the 2018 season, namely the Les Sables-Les Açores-Les Sables (2600 miles). "I'll also need to complete a 1000 mile qualifying off-race course", explains Raphaël, who will therefore be busy with plenty of sailing this year. Next year, he will take up the major challenge of the Mini Transat.

Meanwhile, the Mini 6.50 is also undergoing a refit. No major modifications planned, but necessary thorough checks and maintenance on this floating laboratory. The boat's overall weight is being reduced and the rudders are being redesigned to minimize drag from the water. The idea is to limit obstacles to performance. The boat is due to be refloated this week. The wait is almost over: the 2018 season is about to begin!