Vendée Globe

The BRIT AIR monohull, which will be taking part in the forthcoming Vendée Globe was christened on Wednesday in Morlaix Bay in North West Brittany by Jean-Loup Chrétien, France’s first man in space, who is also the godfather of Armel Le Cléac´h’s 60-foot boat.

Everything was in place yesterday in Morlaix Bay for the guests to enjoy this christening. With a motorboat on either side of her holding around 200 people, Armel Le Cléac’h and his team were able to offer a fine demonstration of BRIT AIR’s potential. Between Taureau Castle (an eighteenth Century fort) and Louët Island, the 60’ boat displaying the Celtic triskell sailed up and down before lining up off Kélenn Beach for the ceremony. After a blessing from Abbot Abjean from Carantec, Jean-Loup Chrétien, the godfather of BRIT AIR firmly smashed the traditional bottle of champagne over the monohull’s bow: "While Brit Air is the consequence of a passion, she is also the result of some clear-sightedness and a serious professional approach and some careful management,» France’s first man in space reminded everyone. «This project is the perfect reflection of the company’s ambition, its values and its history, men and women, who remain determined to see their ideas come to life.»

With the christening over, BRIT AIR sailed off yesterday evening towards Concarneau, her home port in Southern Brittany. Armel Le Cléac’h will continue training aboard her tomorrow and over the next few weeks before heading off to Brest Roads in early July to take part in the Racing Yacht event at Brest 2008.

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