Stamm goes Class 40

Velux 5 Oceans winner to join forces with Bruno Jourdren this season

Velux 5 Oceans winner, Bernard Stamm is set to sail with his former Figaro buddy Bruno Jourdren this season aboard a Class 40. Stamm often sailed with Jourdren in their days in the Figaro class and Stamm says this is a stand-by position while he works out the future of his Open 60 which was severely damaged as he tried to make it into the Kerguelen Islands during the Vendee Globe.

Jourdren had hoped to be sailing with Stamm on the Open 60, but now it is the other way around.

"We complement each other," says Stamm, "and,when Bruno, who was looking for a partner for this season, asked me to join him, his Class 40 being a great boat, my sponsor, Cheminées Poujoulat, agreed to embark on this adventure. The question of my Open 60 is not yet resolved - we cannot take any important decisions yet. However, working with my partners I am continuing to build a solid foundation for the 2012 Vendée Globe. The opportunity to participate in great events, on a boat that works well with someone like Nono [Jourdren] is interesting and is a coherent alternative program. The pieces are in place and it is in this context that Cheminées Poujoulat joined our Class 40 project."

The Class 40 circuit has expanded this season, the fleet opening the season with the Grand Prix Petit Navire in early May. The program will continue with the week of records on the SNSM course which opens on 19 June, followed by the 1000 Milles Brittany Ferries from 4 September and the transatlantic race, the Solidaire du Chocolat starting from St Nazaire on 18 October.