Desjoyeaux Talks Up MOD70 Sailing
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Syndication
Desjoyeaux Talks Up MOD70 Sailing
Interest in the MOD70 class is growing in the United States, aided in part by the Krys Ocean Race’s start in New York in July, where racing fans as well as the general public could see the boats moored in the harbor. Those who followed the race from the United States were not disappointed when Spindrift, skippered by Yann Guichard, won the race after making the 2,950-mile transatlantic trek to Brest, France, in less than five days.
The America’s Cup has also done a lot to build awareness of multihull designs in the United States, Desjoyeaux says. “With the recent America’s Cup races, people in the United States have begun to realize that not only does multihull racing exist, but you can go very fast and have a lot of fun sailing on such a boat. It’s been something of a cultural shock I think for people to see what is possible on a multihull,” Desjoyeaux says. “If you look at the AC45, there are few French sailors that compete and those that do take part don’t have the financial backing they need. Yet, with the AC45, Americans are finally, after 25 years, beginning to take part in multihull races.”
The MOD70 class would certainly get more visibility in the United States if a U.S. sponsor would come on board. After Foncia discontinued its sponsorship a few months ago, Desjoyeaux said he would certainly welcome meeting with a potential U.S. partner. “If I were to get a U.S. sponsor, the move would entice other American competitors to seek sponsors there,” Desjoyeaux says.
But don’t expect a cloudburst of sudden popularity in the United States or elsewhere outside of Europe in the near future, Desjoyeaux said. “The MOD70 It is not going to explode in popularity but it is going to evolve,” he says.
After my sail with Desjoyeaux the other day, sailing gear and hair drenched as if I had stood in the shower, I asked him about his plans for the future. He ruled out taking a stab at the Jules Verne around-the-world record or seeking to win the Route du Rhum again, or even the 2016 Vendee Globe after that. Instead, the two-time Vendee Globe winner will remain faithful to MOD70 racing, and after securing a sponsor, plans to resume competing on the MOD70 circuit following his participation last year in the Krys Ocean Race and the European Tour, which his team won in 2012. But, he insists, the race has to become more international in order to evolve.
“Just tell the Americans to come and compete against us in the MOD70 class,” he says.
Read more from Bruce Gain in his blog, Postcard From Europe.
