Back in the action, back on the water!
Conrad Colman was the first to complete a Vendée Globe without fossil fuels in 2017. By buying Maxime Sorel's former IMOCA boat, the same one that made him want to start ocean racing, the Lorient-based New Zealander is aiming for the Route du Rhum. Looking for committed partners to finalize his budget, Conrad will line up in the season's first two races and start to gather miles for the Vendée Globe 2024, his ultimate goal.
The boat that made Conrad want to go ocean racing
When he arrived in France in 2008, while working for the navigator Steve White, one of the first IMOCA racing yachts that Conrad saw was IMOCA boat that was then wearing the colours of "Groupe Bel". This boat was an inspiration for the young sailor at the time, who decided to enter the Mini Transat the following year, with his dreams of ocean racing full in his head.
15 years later, Conrad has completed 3 circumnavigations, including a Vendée Globe and a victory in the Global Ocean Race. He now wants to continue the beautiful story with this same boat, having since raced 4 Vendée Globe, including a 10th place in the last edition.
Promoting committed companies with a real CSR strategy
The purchase of the boat, which will be launched on April 5 in Concarneau after a short preparatory stop in a boat yard, is an important first step. However, even if he can count on the support of loyal patrons, Conrad has taken financial risks by taking out a bank loan to acquire the IMOCA and is still looking for partners to finance the rest of his project. Faithful to his values, the "most French of New Zealanders" wishes, by sailing, to promote committed companies with a real CSR strategy.
Conrad Colman: "building a great story"
"I am happy with this first step taken with the acquisition of the boat Imagine. It's a giant step towards participating in the 2024 Vendée Globe. There is still a lot to do and I am still looking for partners for the Route du Rhum and the rest of the program but for now, I'm just happy to be back on water and building towards my goals again.
With 3 round the world races, I have gained experience that I hope will allow me to build a great story with a partner for the coming years. Having become the 1st skipper to complete the race in 2016 without fossil fuels, I want to again defend values dear to me and promote companies and technologies with a real CSR strategy."
Conrad's 2022 race program
> Guyader Bermuda 1000 Race: departure from Brest on May 8
> Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d'Olonne: departure from Les Sables d'Olonne on June 12
> Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe: departure from Saint-Malo on November 6
By lining up in all the races on the 2022 IMOCA calendar, Conrad's ambition is twofold: to get the hang of his new boat and to collect enough miles to be among the 40 sailors selected for the next Vendée Globe.
About Conrad Colman
Conrad, a 38-year-old sailor of New Zealand and American descent, moved to Lorient in 2009 to pursue his ocean racing dreams.
Since then, he has raced around the world three times: the Global Ocean Race, which he won in a Class 40, the Barcelona World Race, a two-handed IMOCA race, and the 2016-2017 Vendée Globe, which he completed, becoming the first sailor to complete the legendary non-stop single-handed circumnavigation of the globe without using fossil fuels!