From exploration to the adventure of ocean racing: a passion since our origins
21 June 2022Rest of the World
It was our passion for exploration and adventure in all its forms that prompted us to found Secret Planet, and later its extreme expedition business, Expeditions Unlimited. Long before we became the French leader in high-attitude and polar expeditions, we were already passionate about ocean crossings on legendary yachts, with exceptional skippers, in exploratory mode or ocean racing.
Since 2010 and our first transatlantic race on a 6.5 m, and since our 2-year polar circumnavigation with explorer Gilles Elkaïm in 2014, we've sailed on the legendary trimaran Acapella, taken part in the legendary Fastnet race and transatlantic races on a Class 40. And it's on a Volvo 60, a racing boat, that we'll be taking part in the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race and then the RORC Transatlantic Race... An unprecedented proposition for sailing enthusiasts or any adventure buff in good physical condition dreaming of new horizons. All aboard now!
In 2010, two of us embarked on a transatlantic expedition on a 6.5 metre boat, for a crossing from La Rochelle to Guadeloupe. At the time, we were preparing a Pogo 2, an old-generation monohull racing yacht measuring 6.5 metres in length, which we christened Babaorum.
Unassisted, we reached our goal in 35 days, after some great ocean adventures. It was during this crossing that the Secret Planet project germinated in my mind, a project that would come to fruition a year later with the takeover of Tamera, followed by the creation of Expeditions Unlimited.
Here are 5 minutes of slightly ‘old school’ footage of this crossing. The soundtrack is top quality!
Courses on legendary yachts to improve your skills
There's nothing better than a one- or two-day course to help you get to grips with the legend of the ocean. With this in mind, we've developed three unique offers. The first two are on Acapella, a legendary small racing trimaran based in La Trinité sur Mer, and the third on a Volvo 60, the very boat we use for our ocean races described below.
Introduction to sailing on Acapella, Charlie Capelle's legendary trimaran
A maximum of four crew will be racing on the legendary trimaran Acapella, skippered by its owner Charlie Capelle. Acapella is a magnificent yellow racing trimaran, 11 metres 50 long, built by Walter Grenne in 1980 in the United States. Since then, she has had many adventures, including four Route du Rhum races. Pampered by Charlie, Acapella is in exceptional condition. From the very first hour we set sail, we could see just how good a boat she is, incredibly seaworthy and fast, and at the same time easy to steer and packed with halyards and ropes of all kinds! As we went along, under Charlie's supervision, we got to know this dream trimaran. Book early, as the number of participants is very small.
Two minutes of images on Acapella
Local races on the trimaran Acapella with Charlie Capelle
No more than two crew will be racing on a legendary trimaran, Acapella, skippered by its owner, Charlie Capelle. Acapella is a magnificent yellow racing trimaran, 11 metres 50 long, built by Walter Grenne in 1980 in the United States. Acapella is a legendary boat that has taken part in numerous races. From the very first hour we set sail, we could see just how good a boat she is, incredibly seaworthy and fast, with a smooth helm and all kinds of halyards and ropes! As we go along, under Charlie's guidance, we're getting to grips with this dream trimaran. We're in a race, which adds a little spice to our experience, where passion, pleasure and human adventure remain the key words. This programme is reserved for passionate crew members who already have some sailing experience. Book early, as the number of participants is very small.
24 hours at sea aboard a Volvo 60 in the Volvo Ocean Race
Departing from Lorient, we'll spend 24 hours at sea aboard a racing yacht, a Volvo 60 in the Volvo Ocean Race, the crewed round-the-world race. It's a unique and unprecedented experience aboard a 19.50 meter racing monohull for crew members with a thirst for jibing, tacking, matossage, and conditions that are sometimes more than just sporty... sensations, shall we say! You'll be 100% involved in the running of the boat, analysing the route to follow and night watches. When it comes to sleeping and eating on board, it's the bare minimum! The ideal course to prepare for the ocean races presented below.
Leaving Lorient, we'll be setting sail as crew aboard a Volvo 60 to Cherbourg, where the DRHEAM CUP will set off to race the ‘French Fastnet’. Organised by Jacques CIVILISE since 2016, this fourth edition is clearly positioned as the French Fastnet. It alternates with the prestigious Rolex Fastnet Race, which takes place once every two years in odd-numbered years. The first part of the race takes place in the English Channel, via Shamble West. We then round the Scilly Mountains via Wolf Rock to ‘climb’ into the Irish Sea and round the impressive Fastnet Rock with its lighthouse. Then it's down to the Isles of Scilly, with a DRHEAM OUESSANT course marker. The last part of the race finishes off or along the coast of Brittany to pass the BXA buoy before crossing the finish line anchored off La Trinité-sur-Mer.
Crew racing in the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race 2022
Leaving Lorient, we're sailing as crew aboard a Volvo 60 to Cowes on the Isle of Wight to take part in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race 2022. Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, one of the most prestigious sailing clubs on the planet, the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is ‘like no other race’, says race director Chris Stone. It's a very difficult race in remote locations with a lot of navigational work required, not to mention the tides. The Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland is not a race for novices. The English Channel and the Solent are the final stages of the race. We're taking the Volvo 60 back to Lorient.
Setting sail from Lanzarote in the Canaries, we're heading for Grenada in the Caribbean to take part in an offshore race covering more than 3,000 nautical miles. Aboard a crewed Volvo 60, we'll have a unique experience of ocean racing in the IRC Zero class. It's an opportunity to compete in a fleet and to experience some extraordinary moments with a crew, with the possibility of an 8-day training programme, before setting off from Lanzarote on the leg from Lorient. We're offering you the chance to crew a Volvo 60, a 19.50m racing monohull, in the RORC Transatlantic Race. Supervised by four professional sailors (skipper Capitaine 200 Voile, navigator, watch leaders), a competitive spirit is essential. You will be on board for 20 days. We embark in Lanzarote or in Lorient La Base for those who wish to do the first leg from Brittany to the Canaries, from where the RORC Transatlantic Race will start. The finish is in Grenada in the Caribbean.
Fastnet Rock
Crew in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2023
Leaving Lorient, we'll be sailing as a crew aboard either a Challenge 67 (more comfortable) or a Volvo 60 (faster and more extreme) to Cowes on the Isle of Wight to compete in the Fastnet. Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, one of the most prestigious sailing clubs on the planet, the Rolex Fastnet Race is a legendary crewed race with almost 500 yachts lining up to cover 608 miles. It's a sensational, tactical race along the English coast before crossing the Irish Sea and rounding the impressive Fastnet Rock with its lighthouse. The finish is judged for the first time in Cherbourg. It's an extraordinary experience for any sailor, whether a beginner or an experienced sailor, who wants to broaden his or her horizons to the very latest in sailing. We'll be escorting the Challenge 67 or the Volvo 60 back to Lorient.
Setting out from Lorient, you embark as a crew member aboard a Challenge 67 yacht to reach Cowes on the Isle of Wight where you will compete in the Rolex Fastnet race. Organised by the Royal Ocean…
Expeditions Unlimited blog
Volvo 60 © Pierre Bouras
Crew on Volvo 60 © Valdo Dhoyer
