Vendée Globe

Solid as a rock

From woodsman to mechanic, the most Breton Swiss national, has carried out a range of jobs, but it is single-handed sailing that best suits him. Since his extraordinary story with the small port of Lesconil, where everyone or almost everyone lent him a hand to build his mini for the 6.50 transatlantic race, then his 60´ IMOCA, hardly anything has withstood the onslaught of this tough guy with an angel’s face. It is only his dream of winning the Vendée Globe that has escaped him (forced to retire in 2000 after nine days, start cancelled in 2004 because his boat could not be sailed having lost her keel in The Transat).

That is the darker side of his story. On the other hand, Bernard Stamm, the rock, can boast an exceptional list of achievements: the Atlantic monohull record, the Jules Verne Trophy and outright Atlantic record with Bruno Peyron’s Orange Team. And above all two consecutive wins, which were outstanding in the last two round the world races with stopovers. Only two other sailors can boast such success: Philippe Jeantot and Christophe Auguin, who also won the BOC Challenge twice.

Press Contact : Véronique GUILLOU
+33 (0)6 70 10 91 25 / veronique@rivacom.fr

www.bernardstamm.com
www.bernardstamm.tv

• Winner of the 2006-2007 Velux 5 Oceans
• Brittany Ferries record and co-holder of the Jules Verne Trophy in 2005
• Winner of Around Alone in 2002/03
• 8th in the 2001 Transat Jacques Vabre
• Atlantic crossing record for a monohull 2001
• 3rd in the Mini-Transat in 1995

On the 60’ « Cheminées Poujoulat »
• 3rd in the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre
• 6th in the 2007 Transat Ecover B to B
• 3rd in the 2008 SNSM Record

Bernard Stamm is setting sail this time on Jean-Pierre Dick’s old boat, one of the 2004 generation creations. He has had the time to fine-tune her and his recent performances on board show that her potential is up there with the new generation boats. If you know Bernard’s way of doing things, you will understand that such a boat in his hands is likely to be absolutely awesome…

Boat - Designer: Bruce Farr Yacht Design - Boatyard: Cookson Boats (New Zealand) - Launch date: April 2003 - Previous name of the boat and previous skipper: Virbac-Paprec (Jean-Pierre Dick) - Length: 18.28 m (60’) - Beam: 5.50 m (18’) - Draught : 4.50 m (14’9’’) - Displacement (weight) : + /- 9000kg - Mast height: 27,30 m (89’6’’) - Keel blade : steel - Upwind sail surface :317m2 - Downwind sail surface : 615m2

© François Chevalier

• 29/12/08 : Bernard Stamm on Reunion Island tomorrow
• 22/12/08 : What happened to....
• 17/12/08 : Cheminées Poujoulat loaded on the Marion Dufresne
• 15/12/08 : Bernard still working on his plans
• 10/12/08 : A busy night for Bernard