Ocean racing haven

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Sailing Valley, the fast-growing hub for offshore sailing in Europe, is unfurling in southern brittany. The 150 km strip of atlantic coast is fast becoming one of the busiest centres for international sailing.

"Eighty per cent of the technical and human skills in ocean racing in France is found in Sailing Valley" says Christophe Baudry, director of Lorient Grand Large, an association formed to promote the economic appeal of the area. "One of the drivers of our development is our amazing local network of companies, our infrastructure, support and financing for sailing and racing" he adds. This geographic area - straddling the two Breton departments of Morbihan and Finistère - is home to the most successful names in ocean racing, such as naval architects VPLP and Finot-Conq, yards Multiplast and CDK Technologies, equipment-makers Nautix, NKE, Plastimo, sail and mast manufacturers North Sails and Lorima; and more importantly, the leading skippers ans team who appreciate Vannes and Lorient, together with La Trinité-sur-Mer and Port-La Forêt, for ideal economic and geographic conditions to train for the most challenging internatioanl sailing races - the Route du Rhum, the Vendée Globe and the Volvo Ocean Race.

Launch of Loïck Peyron's boat for the next Route du Rhum

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Having built 3 of the biggest trimarans foe the next Route du Rhum (Banque Populaire, Prince de Bretagne et Sodebo Ultim'), it is now "Happy", the sister ship of Mike Birch's famous Olympus, being launched in front of the Multiplast yard.

A story of friendship...

Completely different to the typical realisations that come out of this yard, this is a project built on friendship and a mutual desire to see Loïck achieve his wish to take part in this 10th transatlantic race in a different way. For this original undertaking, Multiplast simply provided yard space, some tools and did some composite work.

Loïck Peyron :" This refit has been nothing but pleasure, the work to be done was quite considerable, and without being accomodated by Multiplast, it wouldn't have been possible."

MULTIPLAST to give second life to catamaran ORANGE II to be renamed sailing yacht VITALIA II

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François Bich and the Multiplast yard are thrilled to announce that the legendary catamaron Orange II will be given a new lease of life. Moreover, the 118 ft superyacht Orange II will be renamed to sailing yacht VITALIA II