The Bel team is bubbling with activity!

Asking the right questions, taking the right decisions and anticipating the smallest detail; nothing can be left to chance. The Transat Jacques Vabre confirmed Groupe Bel's performance, particularly when up against new boats. However, Kito believes that his racing yacht can still make headway, particularly when reaching on a beam wind (at 90° to the wind), essential in a race such as this round-the-world.  To optimize her, the team has modified the size and position of the ballast inside the boat. These water tanks help the skipper find the right yacht balance, like virtual crew members who would move when needed. The details of these changes remain confidential faced with the competition, but the ‘Bel boys technical team’ have started the work, which involves long hours inside the yacht, playing with carbon and resin.

If you touch the structure, you also have to change the driving force. This is where our sailmaker, Yann Régniau, comes in, with an eagle eye, due to his double-handed transatlantic race with Kito. On schedule: new shapes, new sizes and new materials for the ‘Vendée Globe Sails Collection’.

For Kito, it is also time to “get back into shape”!   The season, which is looking very busy, requires top level physical preparation. The skipper is following a muscle-building program, especially suited to offshore racing, while waiting for Groupe Bel to be launched again towards end March.