Desjoyeaux Talks Up MOD70 Sailing
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Syndication
Desjoyeaux Talks Up MOD70 Sailing
The rocky coastline of Brittany, France, is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. But this time of year, in late fall, when it is very wet, the weather can cast a pale of dark over anyone’s soul.
Most of the activity at Port la Foret was at the nearby bistro, where the locals hunkered down on barstools, probably wondering when the rain would let up enough so they could work on their boats. Not a single vessel could be seen leaving or entering the port, and for good reason: The breeze was already blowing a steady 25 knots and was expected to reach 40 knots in a few hours.
Such a Saturday in Brittany is best spent inside, maybe curled up by the fire with a whiskey and a good book. But today was when Michel Desjoyeaux, aka “the Professor,” decided to venture out with his team on his MOD70 multihull. The idea was to see how well a new propeller would work when the boat reached speeds of 35 knots and more.
But besides testing his boat, one of Desjoyeaux’s goals these days is to attract more international interest in MOD70 racing. He is doing that by showing foreign journalists and potential competitors firsthand just what a thrill it is to sail and pilot the 70-foot multihulls, which is the main reason I was invited to come along that day.
And I was certainly not disappointed, especially when Desjoyeaux handed me the helm. Much of the sensation comes from the three hulls and the lifting effects they cause, which is much different than sailing a monohull. The sensation became even more of a thrill when Desjoyeaux piloted the 70-foot boat at up to 38 knots that day, as the boat lifted and jumped from six-foot waves.
Photo: Bruce Gain
Michel Desjoyeaux helms his MOD70 to speeds of over 35 knots off the coast of Brittany, France.
Desjoyeaux, one of the MOD70’s pioneers, is convinced that the top U.S. sailing talent will want to race these boats when they become better acquainted with them. The MOD70 is also certainly in need of a more diverse international contingent to breathe more life into the class, which presently totals fewer than 10 boats.
If there is one critique to make about this multihull class since its start in 2009, it is that the MOD70 remains too French-centric; the monotype-design boats are only manufactured in France and the vast majority of skippers and teams are French as well. Desjoyeaux is also especially vocal about his hopes that a U.S. team will enter the fray.
“We are waiting for the Americans to join us,” Desjoyeaux says.
