Vendee Globe: Conrad Colman Circumnavigates Again Using Only Renewable Energy
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 30 Oct 06:34 PDT
31 October 2024
Conrad Colman / MS Amlin © Thomas Deregniaux / Qaptur / MS AMLIN
In the 2016 Vendee Globe, Conrad Colman became the inaugural competitor in Vendee Globe history to complete the race without utilizing any fossil fuel during his circumnavigation.
It was a challenging competition. He finished using a jury rig after his mast snapped 740 nautical miles from the finish line, and he completely ran out of provisions. He crossed the finish line consuming rations from his survival pack. This followed an electrical fire in the Southern Ocean and a nighttime fall overboard in the same region, where he was tethered to the main boom and was fortuitously flipped back onto the boat by a wave.
For this year’s Vendee Globe edition, the USA-born and New Zealand-raised professional sailor has acquired a 2007 vintage IMOCA60 for his fifth global race. In a video, he demonstrates the process of upgrading his new yacht to align with his racing strategy, which involves reinforcing the hull’s strength by adding an additional carbon layer.
Due to a rule change, he is no longer allowed to utilize an electric motor.
“We have a chance to advance in the renewable energy sector,” he expresses. “The world is progressing, and we must follow suit. I believe we can lead the way for this technology; propelled by the wind, we should also harness the sun’s energy. I like to compare it to our dock departure, from where we start with 10 liters of drinking water while producing more as we sail. This mindset should apply to energy as well. I am determined to demonstrate that it’s feasible. Clearly, abiding by the current regulations, I won’t resort to my diesel engine. I will utilize two energy sources: my boat is fully equipped with solar panels and Watt & Sea generators, illustrating that it’s achievable. I will set sail with 20 liters of diesel and return with the same amount.”
For the complete story of Conrad Colman, click here.
