Bruno Peyron interview - pt1

James Boyd caught up with the world's most experienced big cat sailor and organiser of The Race

The Race II will undoutedly be another high speed extravaganza for the giant multihulls, but Peyron is keen to attract the new generation of maxi-monohulls, such as Robert Miller's top secret Mari Cha IV, that is soon to be built at the JMV shipyard in Cherbourg. This boat is said to be giant single-hulled record breaking machine, but without the luxury interior of Mari Cha III. Peyron says a number of similar vessels are also under construction at the moment. He is trying to find a way to allow these boats in, by for example allowing them to use powered winches. These type of winches are not allowed on the multihulls and is the only thing at present limiting their size.

"Instead of 14 guys on the rail they can have 120, so what?" he says. "Private owners have been forgotten in terms of what kind of event we could propose to them. Most of them are attracted by the America's Cup becaue that is the only game they can play. We're thinking how we can attract them into some other big events."

At personal level Peyron says he doesn't want to have to organise the event again. "I have been putting so much energy into this project for seven years, I've made the personal decision to do something else. I need a little break."

Part of the reason for his exhaustive study into The Race and its pros and cons is to establish its value and he is currently in negotiations to sell the event.
"We will be able to make an announcement very soon, over what will be the major points of the future of The Race," he says.

Having been behind the creation of both Club Med and Innovation Explorer - he found the sponsors and worked closely with Gilles Ollier's team on the design, Peyron feels great frustration that he had to stay ashore during The Race. So it comes as little surprise that he is adamant he will sail next time.

This interview continues tomorrow.