Last Open 60 to be launched

Marc Thiercelin's new Finot-Conq Multiplast-built DNCS becomes the 20th new IMOCA 60 for this Vendee cycle

Today Marc Thiercelin's brand new IMOCA Open 60 DCNS was launched in Vannes. The boat in which Thiercelin will compete in his fifth round the world race (his fourth singlehanded) has been designed by Finot-Conq (following on from Generali, BritAir and Hugo Boss) and has been built by Chantier Multiplast, famous for their G-Class maxi-multihulls such as Groupama 3, Orange II and currently Banque Populaire.

DCNS is the last of the latest generation of Open 60s to be launched destined of course for this autumn's Vendee Globe. The boat is a hybrid between Generali/ BritAir and Hugo Boss, using the hull mould from the former and the unique deck mould from the latter (with its twin cabin tops).

"Launching a third boat was made easier by the fact that the carbon mould of the hull could be used for a third time," commented Multiplast's Yann Penfornis. "The making of the hull skins is very similar. But concerning all the other components, paradoxically, there are few part like the other two boats. The most significant difference is the general layout of the deck with its twin coachroofs and all the lines coming back down the centre. Also all the internal structures is different…"

While the boat was constructed by Multiplast, DCNS, a French naval shipbuilder, constucted the keel foil in a special very high modulus steel used for submarines, welded by a electron beam system.

According to Yves Picart, Technical Coordinator, the idea for the keel came from the one DCNS had previously built for Le Defi Areva America's Cup team in 2003. "We came to the conclusion we were able to design a high-performance keel blade, with a very interesting weight/drag ratio, compared to a carbon blade. And it was all thanks to our very high modulus special steel and its soldering system by electron beams. We own one of the only two facilities in Europe that enjoys this high technology at such a level."

In past years DCNS has built Eric Tabarly Whitbread maxi (and 1976 OSTAR winner) Pen Duick VI as well as Alain Colas' 236ft four master Club Mediterranee. In addition to the keel blade, DCNS also performed permanent non-destructive ultrasonic testing of the all-carbon sandwich hull at every step of its building.

Now launched, DCNS will shortly be en route to Port-La-Foret where her mast will be set up. From there she will go to Lorient and her base at DCNS. But Multiplast’s work is not over yet. Theircelin will have to carry out his 2500 mile qualifier for the Vendee Globe before 30 June.