Built at the CDK yard using Safran’s moulds, Vincent Riou’s new PRB is almost finished, seven and a half months after work first began on her. The winner of the 2005-2005 Vendée Globe is now just waiting for some favourable weather to launch her before the end of the month.
Vincent, how are things going with the construction of your new PRB?
“The boat is practically finished. We’re just working on the final details. We’re so far advanced that in fact if we were in a hurry we could have launched her a few weeks back. The hull, deck, insides, mast...everything is ready.”
So she’s been built in record time...
"Yes. Just seven and a half months.. If the weather is suitable, we’re planning to launch her before the end of February. We’ll then move onto the final little details and take her out for her first sail.”
Why did you choose Safran’s moulds?
"Firstly, because it’s clear to everyone that Safran is the fastest boat in the IMOCA fleet. After that, for time and cost reasons. This solution meant we saved more than 300,000 euros, or around 12 to 15% of the total cost of the boat. That’s quite a significant sum, particularly as PRB doesn’t necessarily have the budget that some of the bigger IMOCA teams have. And of course, it meant we saved time.”
So will PRB look like Safran?
"No, not at all! The hull mould was the same, but everything else is different: she won’t have the same rig – the mast is in fact very different – a different deck layout, a different coach roof… One thing that is clear is you shouldn’t expect to see the same boat!”
What plans do you have for your racer?
“All of the IMOCA races with of course the Route du Rhum at the end of the year. We won’t be doing the Barcelona Race. Our choice of route will lead us nicely to the next Vendée Globe.”
