Please select your home edition
Edition
Lloyd Stevenson - AC ETNZ 1456x180px TOP

Vendee Globe: 'Crazy Kiwi' racing solo around the world again using only renewable energy

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 31 Oct 02:34 NZDT 31 October 2024
Conrad Colman / MS Amlin © Thomas Deregniaux / Qaptur / MS AMLIN

In the 2016 Vendee Globe, Conrad Colman became the first competitor in Vendee Globe history to finish without using a drop of fossil fuel during his circumnavigation.

It was an eventful race. The 'Crazy Kiwi' moniker was earned after Colman finished under Jury rig when his mast broke 740nm from the finish, and he ran completely out of food. Conrad Colman finished the race nibbling rations from his survival kit. That was after an electrical fire in the Southern Ocean and falling overboard at night also in the Southern Ocean, connected to the main boom by his tether, and was eventually flipped back onto the boat by a fortuitous wave.

For the current edition of the Vendee Globe, the USA born, and New Zealand raised professional sailor has purchased a 2007 vintage IMOCA60, for his fifth race around the World. In the video he walks us through the process of upgrading the latest boat to suit his race strategy, which includes improving the strength of the hull by adding an extra carbon skin.

Following a race Rule change he is not permitted to use an electric motor again.

"We have an opportunity to carry this development into the area of renewable energy," he says. "The world is moving forwards and we have to go that way. I think we can be the flag bearer for that technology, we are pushed by the wind we should be charged by the sun. And also the parallel I like to draw is when we leave the dock we have 10 litres of drinking water and we make drinking water as we go, for me we should have the same approach to energy. I have charged myself with proving it can be done. Clearly respecting the regulations as they are written today I am not going to use my diesel engine. I will use two sources of power, I have covered the boat with solar panels and have the Watt & Sea generators and I am showing it can be done. I will leave with 20 litres of diesel and will return with 20 litres of diesel."

For Conrad Colman's full story click here

Related Articles

Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling
Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling - regular entries close on December 31 Seasoned sailors Rob Bassett and Brett Russell are rallying competitors to join what Peter Montgomery has called “the best-big boat regatta in NZ” as entries roll in for the 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week (BOISW). Posted on 12 Nov
SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody - Now just €50
Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: Was €120 | Now €50 - Order yours today! Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: WAS €120 | NOW €50 - Order yours today! Ideal Xmas gift for America's Cup fans! Get your souvenir hoody on the America's Cup champion! Posted on 7 Nov
Predictwind is official partner of Vendee Globe
PredictWind will bring fans into the Vendée Globe action with a world-first Race Weather Centre Global leader in marine weather forecasting, PredictWind, has announced its official partnership with IMOCA - one of the fastest and most exciting offshore yacht racing classes - to become the exclusive Weather Data Supplier for the Vendée Globe 2024. Posted on 22 Oct
NZ Marine industry celebrates Am Cup Defence
NZ marine technology and innovation is used both by its own and other teams contesting the Cup While New Zealand sailors are considered among the world's best, the country's marine technology and innovation is used both by its own team, and by the teams contesting the America's Cup. Posted on 19 Oct
New facilities attract more superyachts to NZ
Superyacht attraction initiatives paying off as NZ Marine reports $212m superyacht economic boost A new report shows superyacht visitors injected $212m into the New Zealand economy in the 2023/4 season. The report has been released as New Zealand ramps up its superyacht attraction initiatives. Posted on 11 Oct
Cup Spy - Finals - Who dares, wins
The AC75 proved its ability to provide compelling viewing, match racing at speeds touching 55kts Critics of the AC75 and its suitability as a match racer for the America's Cup should be eating their words after Sunday's Blinder in Barcelona Posted on 30 Sep
Check the rules before summer boating starts 
Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across mar Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across marine pest risks and rules before heading out on the water this summer. Posted on 24 Sep
17 NZ marinas now on ‘Clean Marina journey'
Kiwi marinas make big steps in environmental performance : 17 marinas now on ‘Clean Marina journey' The $540 million marina and boatyard industry is on a mission to minimise its environmental impact, particularly in relation to coastal water quality. Posted on 21 Sep
Southern Spars at the Monaco Yacht Show
From America's Cup technology to the World's largest sailing catamaran: Connect with Southern Spars The Monaco Yacht Show is the showcase event for innovation in the superyacht industry and as the global leader in high-performance composite rig technology for luxury yachts, Southern Spars is excited to attend again in 2024. Posted on 19 Sep
Go North for the 37th America's Cup
North Sails is proud to be the sailmaker of choice for all entries participating in the Cup North Sails is proud to be the sailmaker of choice for all entries participating in the Cup. We supply each AC75 with 3Di sail technology, aero engineers, and exclusive access to the industry's most advanced sail design and aero simulation tools. Posted on 13 Sep
Motomuck SaltyMuck Static 728 x 90 px BOTTOMYoumans Studio old 18 footers 1456x180 BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px BOTTOM