Please select your home edition
Edition
495 McKinley Drive Lboard Dec 2024

2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: Breaking things is part of preparation for Fleury

by Steve Dettre/RSHYR media 22 Dec 22:55 PST 26 December 2024
Cocody sailing downwind offshore © Cocody

Damien Fleury is not particularly worried about pushing French boat Cocody to its limits during the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

"We've already done that during training, during other races," he said just days out from the big race.

"We've done many hard training (days) in France, like going out in 50 knots of wind just to see if the boat can perform under those conditions," he said, looking out over the marina at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, at Rushcutters Bay.

"And sometimes, of course, you break things, and that's the deal. We always prefer to break things during training."

He said the most difficult part of sailing boats was the mechanical and technical components. "Things like the engine, water maker, generator, things like that - because we know how to sail, but it's those other things that create issues," he said.

Fleury said the 17,000 nautical mile journey from France to Sydney had been a 'delivery' trip. "We kept the crew to a minimum, we stopped many times enroute, because the aim was just to get the boat here... we weren't pushing ourselves," he said.

The crew was complimented by a couple of "hitchhikers" as he calls them, who helped out on the way.

"They weren't experienced sailors, but they could help with cooking, night watch and physical work when needed," he said.

Post race, Fleury said there was an option of selling the boat rather than transporting it back to France.

"Because after you work with a boat, you want to go to a bigger boat, a faster boat, because we're getting better and better," he said.

And if they can't sell it, that's not a drama.

"Because there are many races in Europe. There is always something to do, so for sure, will not be unhappy to continue to sail the boat for a long time."

Related Articles

The Johnson 70 Hull No. 2
A custom-built yacht on her way to Canada The owner eagerly anticipates receiving this New Year's gift. This marks the first Johnson yacht to reach Canada, and we look forward to seeing more of our yachts in Canadian waters. Posted on 21 Dec
Meet the Aquila 50 Yacht Power Catamaran
Embark on a new era of sophistication Prepare for an elevated yachting experience with the Aquila 50 Yacht Power Catamaran. Say hello to the future of exploration as we introduce an all-new "Explorer" aesthetic, with a commanding high freeboard that sets it apart from the rest. Posted on 21 Dec
Custom Line 50
The brand's first 50-metre full-aluminium superyacht Custom Line 50, the first 50-metre superyacht built entirely from aluminium, is the new displacement flagship and makes her debut in the metal yachts segment under 500 GT. Posted on 19 Dec
Coupe Power Catamarans
Meet the all-new Aquila 42 and 46 Coupe Who said you can't have it all? Meet the all-new Aquila 42 and 46 Coupe Power Catamarans — quiet sophistication and roaring performance that will open new horizons for travel, exploration and fun! Posted on 17 Dec
"Sober Skipper™ Why It Matters" video series
Featuring a diverse group of boating influencers The Sea Tow Foundation™, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting boating safety, is excited to launch its new video series titled "Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters." Posted on 14 Dec
Oceanco Kairos 80 - Design by Pininfarina
One of the new exterior designs added to Oceanco's Simply Custom collection Delivering an unprecedented variety of choice from a single technical base, owners can now take inspiration from a total of 27 Simply Custom yacht designs penned by top-tier studios from around the world. Posted on 14 Dec
Freedom Boat Club teams up with Savvy Navvy
One of the Club's largest franchise groups in the US loves this navigation app Freedom Boat Club Delaware, part of one of the largest boat club communities in the US, has teamed up with Savvy Navvy to bring easier and safer navigation to more boaters. Here they reflect on how it has helped their boat club members. Posted on 13 Dec
Bennington new M-Series
Bringing an elevated experience to the mid-range pontoon segment Bennington, North America's leading manufacturer of luxury pontoon boats, brings unprecedented luxury and an elevated experience to the mid-range pontoon segment with the launch of the M Series. Posted on 12 Dec
New Extra X106 Fast project
A streamlined look thanks to the superstructure being shifted towards the bow EXTRA Yachts presents the new X106 FAST project, a concentration of power and volume to provide guests with a comfortable experience on board and great performance. Posted on 11 Dec
Heesen's Project Orion
Ready for stellar adventures on the high seas in Spring 2025 Heesen is pleased to announce the launch of YN 20750, code-named Project Orion, at the Oss shipyard on December 6th. This 50-metre all-aluminium hybrid yacht exemplifies Dutch craftmanship, precision engineering and meticulous construction. Posted on 11 Dec
Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTERTrinidad and Tobago - Sail Service Stay