As Arnaud Boissières continues in fourth place in the Vendée – St Petersburg race aboard the Région Aquitaine - Port Médoc trimaran, his technical team relaunched the 60-foot AKENA Vérandas (Vincent Riou’s ex- PRB) this morning, after a 5-month refit. During these five months the team dealt with the damage that occurred during last year’s two transatlantic crossings.
The Farr designed boat will have her keel fitted on Monday and the mast will be stepped on Thursday 10th, in the presence of the skipper if he has finished his race. The boat is expected to head out to sea again in mid-June to take part in the SNSM Record, which will begin from Saint Nazaire on 18th June.
"We’ve done sa complete overhaul," summed up Guillaume Le Fur, the boat captain, who was pleased to see the monohull leaving the Alliaura yards. The bowsprit, which broke during the homeward delivery trip and the protective cover, which was damaged have both been repaired. The hull has also received a lot of attention as a crack was detected and repaired, before she was completely careened. Inside the boat, the hydraulic system was given a thorough check-up and the electronics improved, in particular with the fitting of a new nav station. The mast also received a lot of attention, as the hooks (the sail attachments) were improved and the mainsail track completely removed.
Given a complete overhaul from top to bottom, the Farr designed boat is now ready for another season, which will come to a climax with the 2010 Route du Rhum.
