Podium Positions for Navtec

French sailing legend Michel Desjoyeaux onboard the IMOCA Open 60 'Foncia', stormed ahead to convincingly take first place in the 2008-09 edition of the Vendée Globe. Fully rigged using optimized Navtec Z-system PBO rigging, 'Foncia' endured the most grueling offshore racing conditions to win one of the worlds toughest sailing events.

Navtec Performance Rigging, a division of Lewmar Marine, featured on over half of this year's Vendee Globe fleet. 2nd placed Armel LeCleac'h on 'BritAir' used Navtec's Z-system PBO and 4th place Sam Davis on 'Roxy' relied on Navtec Bi-Conic PBO for their standing rigging. Along with Desjoyeaux, skippers worked closely with Navtec engineers to improve their performance through new advancements in fibre rigging. Testing of cables following Trans-Atlantic racing and vigorous training allowed the Navtec team to develop new, more efficient termination methods for the IMOCA Open 60 fleet.

Navtec's participation in each edition of the Vendee Globe's since its creation in 1989-90 is a testament to the strong reputation of Navtec R&D. 16 of the 30 boats competing in this edition featured Navtec products. "Every skipper has to have the confidence that each component has been rigorously lab tested and proven in the most grueling offshore racing conditions," explains Navtec President, Greg Smith. "Foncia's rigging represents some of our latest technology and quality workmanship, and showcases Navtec's long history of technical expertise along with the latest developments in materials and manufacturing processes."

Starting in Les Sable s d'Olonne, France in November 2008, the Vendée Globe proved itself to be the ultimate challenge in the IMOCA Ocean Racing World Championship schedule. With less than half the fleet finishing the single-handed non-stop race around the world race, the Open 60s are rightly regarded as one of the most extreme boats in sailing.