John_Silver
Well-known member
Yes, it was slightly awkward. Important figure in the IMOCA class, nevertheless. He seemed to catalyse a step change, in bow design / rocker line thinking, with Armel Tripon’s L’Occitane (now Louis Burton’s Bureau Valle - sister ship to Sam D’s boat). Although, Antoine Koch appears to have subsequently eaten Sam Manuard’s lunch. With the development of the ‘speedboat’ (I think he terms it) bow, on Yoann’s IMOCA. Refining the concept..A tough interview, hardly an engaging guest.
Maybe Sam Manuard was a bit reticent because his latest design, Jérémie Beyou’s Charal, hadn’t made the podium, when it was tipped to do so, pre-race? And Sam D’s Manuard has also placed lower than hoped?
Guillaume Verdier was on the show, pre Christmas. His name features throughout the fleet, including at the very front, with Charlie. He too came across as somewhat ‘mystical.’ Leaving aside the effect of their being interviewed in a second language; perhaps the personality type, required to be a ground breaking designer, doesn’t suit off the cuff opinion or the creation of snappy sound bites? That may even be the chief insight from the interview……
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