Vendée Globe

After being involved in the Vendée Globe on two occasions, Akena Vérandas announced today that they are continuing their sailing partnership alongside Arnaud Boissières. The firm from the Vendée department of France has just bought Vincent Riou's PRB. He will continue to sail aboard the boat during the coming season alongside Arnaud Boissières.

Designed by the Bruce Farr design team and a sistership to Foncia, the winer of the last Vendée Globe, the former PRB is a powerful and efficient boat. She was refitted with the help of Vincent Riou and his shore team and is now equipped with a new mast and brand new outriggers, following the damage that occurred during the rescue of Jean Le Cam off Cape Horn. The new Akena Vérandas is due to be relaunched in mid-June to line up for the start of the SNSM Trophy on 21st June. The other races during this season will be raced double-handed: the Fastnet in August and the Transat Jacques Vabre in November. Arnaud will take part in these events with Vincent Riou, who will offer him the benefit of his rich experience and allow a perfect handover of the boat, which he largely thought up and which he has raced a lot. Arnaud Boissières: "Taking over PRB means a lot. Not only because she is a boat from the last generation, but because she was imagined by Vincent Riou and belonged to some very important sponsors in the Vendée Globe. All of these things together mean that this is an exciting challenge. I am not frightened of her power, as I need to progress in order to continue. It will take a while to get used to her, but Vincent will be there, so it should go smoothly. I will try my best to sail her well and to be as competitive as possible. We'll see what happens starting with the Transat Jacques Vabre alongside Vincent."

Vincent Riou, co-skipper with Arnaud Boissières in the Transat Jacques Vabre: "It's a pleasure to continue to sail on my old boat, as I spent a lot of time on her and I would like to finish on a good note. A 60-foot monohull is designed and built for a sailor and the best way of passing that on is by accompanying the new skipper to explain how things work. I'm pleased for Arnaud. He's a great guy and very friendly and has clearly shown that he is motivated. It's nice to sail with him and if I can bring him anything, so much the better."
 

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