Efficiency Drive
Embrace The Challenge is out of the water and into the shed for a six-week refit, with energy efficiency at the top of the job list.
From replacing the engine to improving battery management, this work will help us prepare for a future in which every litre of fuel needs to go much further.
But before any of that can begin, there is the considerable task of taking the boat apart.
A carefully coordinated lift
First, the foils are removed. Next comes the mast.
A crane is attached near its top, ready to support its weight as the team methodically disconnects the rigging holding it in position. The forestay is detached from the foredeck, followed by the remaining connections. Ropes and electrical cables are disconnected and neatly stowed at the mast’s base.
Once all the rigging is disconnected, the mast’s full weight is supported by the crane which slowly lifts the mast up and clear of the boat, before being gently lowered onto two waiting cradles. It will stay in the shed alongside the foils while work continues.
With the foils and mast safely ashore, the boat is lifted from the water in the yard’s hoist and the hull is sprayed clean.
Removing the keel is another carefully controlled operation. Once the keel bolts are released, the keel is carefully dropped from the hull into a waiting cradle. A forklift then carries it into the shed.
Finally, a cushioned cradle, shaped to fit our hull, is positioned beneath the boat. Embrace The Challenge is lowered into place and moved inside. The lift out is complete and the refit can begin.
Making every litre count
An ocean racing boat travels under sail, but it still needs electricity. Navigation instruments, water-makers, the autopilot, live-streaming communications and the many other onboard systems all depend on a reliable supply of power.
During the previous Vendée Globe, this boat used around 280 litres of fuel to generate power onboard power and charge the batteries. For 2028, the rules allow just 60 litres for normal use during racing, with a separate reserve for emergencies.
That is a substantial reduction, and it means looking closely at how we generate, store and use energy throughout a voyage.
Our primary task during this yard period is installing a more fuel-efficient engine and a new battery management system which will improve charging efficiency, helping us get more usable electrical energy from the fuel we burn.
We are also upgrading large parts of the electrical system infrastructure to lower energy demands by optimising the redundancy.
Alongside this, we are adding more solar panels to increase the contribution from renewable energy and reduce our reliance on the engine.
An ocean-sized test
With The Ocean Race 2027 starting in just three months, our six-week yard period is deliberately focused. We need to complete these upgrades and get back on the water, ready for the next major challenge.
Racing around the world will give us a fantastic opportunity to put this work to the test.
Across thousands of miles, we will see how the new systems perform under the demands of ocean racing; assessing efficiencies and identifying further improvements for future refits.
The countdown is on. Next stop: a lap of the planet.
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