Once her keel and mast were removed, Safran was placed back in the water without her appendages in order to make her way into the Saint-Philibert yard. Now she is out of the water, all of the team is hard at work. “The boat was completely emptied. For the moment, we’re dealing with the stratification in order to repair the damage caused by two bangs during the transatlantic race, and we’ve given her hull an initial clean,” explained Thierry Brault. All of the electronic gear has also been taken apart to be given a thorough check-up.

Checks, repairs and some new equipment

All of this work requires perfect coordination, particularly as after these initial jobs, some more important work will be carried out. In February, the team will be carrying out a complete replacement of the coach roof and the famous Y-shaped central winch console. The aim is to make it more efficient and especially to save weight. “At the same time,” added Thierry, “we shall be taking apart the hydraulic parts in the keel system (which are used in particular to cant it, editor’s note) and sending them off to the supplier in Italy, where they will be checked and tested on a test bench.”

Aiming to improve her performance

All of the mechanical parts will be going through a similar process (mast bolts, shroud attachments, nuts and bolts, keel bearings, etc.). Once they have been removed, they will be sent to Snecma (Safran Group) to be checked. Similarly, in addition to the standard check-up carried out on the mast and keel head, ultrasound testing will be used at Snecma Propulsion Solide, another company within the Group. “If we spot the slightest fault, we’ll replace the part, of course,” stated Thierry. “As for the rigging, the running rigging (the parts that move, editor’s note) has been given a thorough examination by the boat captain, Loïc Lingois. We shall also be fitting new standing rigging (the fixed elements – editor’s note) which is a bit lighter.”