Frenchman Jean-Pierre Dick yesterday put what is believed to be the first new purpose-built yacht for the next Vendee Globe Race to the test down at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.
The boat, Virbac, was designed by Farr Yacht Design and built by Cookson Boats (who constructed Team New Zealand's blackboats). Before competing in the race, widely regarded as the most intensive and extreme single-handed around-the-world race, a capsizing test takes place where the boat with its skipper on board are flipped upside down to see if both survive. Virbac and Dick passed the test with flying colours.
The yacht is a dream come true for Dick, 37, who won the Tour de France a la Voile in 2001. To succeed in the gruelling Vendee Globe race, which takes about 100 days to complete, he said a reliable boat was a must.
"We found the New Zealand industry offers a very good ratio of knowledge to cost."
The boat will be launched at the basin today at 3pm. Jacky Musnier, wife of the French Ambassador to New Zealand, will break the ceremonial champagne bottle.