Do you think there are too many new boats?
Conrad: There’s a huge difference between the big teams and the smaller ones. When the minnows like me want to move up, the big teams tend not to hand over their boats, and they continue to build all the time. I think it is a bit crazy to make so many of them, particularly the pure prototypes with all the equipment and impact that leads to. What is the solution? Maybe to do like the Ocean Fifty boats and limit the number of places in the class.
You did indeed decide to update an older boat. We can remember that back in 2017, during your trip around the world, you installed an electric motor aboard your boat with the drive shaft turning when sailing to recharge the batteries, rather like a hydrogenerator. Have you repeated that experience?
Conrad: No, I wasn’t allowed to. The class believes this is not within the rules and they weren’t very ready to discuss the matter (class rules mean that there is a lead seal on the propeller shaft, as otherwise no one would know whether it had been used or not to propel the boat - editor).In spite of the move towards ecological transition, I think that the IMOCA class says a lot, but doesn’t really act that much. There is the idea of zero emissions when racing and for us all to be seen as symbols of energy transition, but we don’t seem to be able to grab that opportunity, which I think is a waste.
You are however continuing this fight?
Conrad: Yes, I’m looking ahead to the 2028 Vendée Globe. I am fighting for a change in the rules which would say that OK, the traditional engine is not in question, but we should maybe force people not to use it and get the skippers to replace it with renewable energy systems. Over the past six years, the systems have indeed evolved. They are lighter, smaller, more compact and perform better. If I can manage to do that with my little team and small budget, the big teams should do it too.
Are there any other skippers going down that road?
Conrad: Yes, there are several examples in the fleet. Phil Sharp with his green hydrogen kit, Alan Roura with the electric motor aboard his boat*. I am delighted to have been the first, but now I would like everyone to do that too and that it spreads to everyone.
What innovations have you applied to this boat?
Conrad: We spent six months improving an old boat instead of building a new one. We sanded her down to the carbon, reinforced her old bones, made her more reliable and enhanced her performance. We improved the deck surface to allow the installation of as many solar panels as possible next winter. We thought a lot about the layout asking ourselves what we could do to turn the boat into a solar power station.
Fabio: It’s true that there aren’t really any new technologies set up here, but what already existed has been improved and we can set off with the ability to produce around 3000 watts of power, which is in general enough to power a house.
Conrad: As a comparison, with 3000 watts, you can run your fridge and recharge your electric car. On board, this means power for the autopilot, desalinator, and the computer system, just with sunlight and hydroelectric power.
We know how deeply invested you are in your project. You took out a loan and are looking for sponsors. How do you cope with all that?
Conrad: I keep switching between the track suit to get my physical preparation done, my overalls when I’m sanding down carbon and my suit to go to Paris to present my project to potential sponsors. I wear many different hats!
* Hublot, Alan Roura’s boat, the former Hugo Boss, is fitted with an electric motor, but her shaft will have a lead seal on it during the race. The batteries are recharged using a diesel generator.
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