Zero Emission IMOCA 60 made possible for Conrad Colman by Oceanvolt
Zero Emission IMOCA 60 made possible for Conrad Colman by Oceanvolt
Conrad Colman is one of New Zealand’s solo sailing heroes. He’s taking on the sport’s most daunting race by signing up for the 2016 Vendee Globe. Conrad’s mission is to compete in the toughest race around the world without the help of any fossil fuels. While at first this might sound strange, actually the amount of power required to drive the computers, electronics and hydraulics on a modern 60ft IMOCA racing yacht is staggering. The necessary electricity is traditionally supplied by an onboard diesel generator.
The Vendée Globe is a 45 000 km race around the world, solo, and without any stops. The race is a serious test of individual endurance, and is regarded by many as the ultimate in ocean racing. The Vendée leaves from les Sables d’Olonne (in France), on November 6th 2016. A fleet of 25 IMOCA 60 boats – each the size of a block of flats – will line up and sail down the Atlantic and round three famous Capes – Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn, before finishing back in the bay of Les Sables d’Olonne some 80 exhausting days later.
Partnering with Conrad Coleman in his mission to race around the world, non-stop without using fossil energy is Oceanvolt. The company is the global leader in manufacturing electric propulsion systems for boats. A key feature of the company’s patented technology is the ability to use the electric motors as generators while sailing utilizing the flow of water very much the same way wind turbines or hydroelectric dams work. This eliminates the need for generators burning fossil fuels, making the boat energy autonomous when sailing.
“I moved to France 7 years ago with one goal in mind: the Vendée Globe 2016. People who know me can tell you that when I have my mind set on something, it’s pretty hard to make me change direction! My first solo Transat was on a Mini 6.50, I then took part in the Route du Rhum on a Class40 & won the Global Ocean Race. I’m committed to raising awareness about the environment and I want to be the first skipper to manage going around the world in that race without using fossil fuels”, Conrad says.
“This is an important project for Oceanvolt and a big part of our strategy to revolutionize marine propulsion” says Timo Jaakkola, CEO of Oceanvolt. “Our aim is not just to prove that electric propulsion is the right way to power cruisers, daysailer and racing boats but it’s the most practical solution when going to go battle against the toughest conditions. We are able to give Conrad a real competitive advantage by saving over 500 kilos of weight in diesel fuel alone.”
