20.01.2006

2006 bodes well for the new Temenos and its skipper

A rather brisk 2005 has meant no down time for Dominique Wavre.  A few weeks after completing the Vendée Globe, Temenos, a provider of banking software packages, expressed its desire to extend its confidence in the skipper and entrust the helm of a brand new Imoca 60 footer to him.  Since that moment it has been a race against the clock for Dominique who hopes to see the new Temenos in action from the next Route du Rhum in October 2006.

Though the crucial decisions, such as the architect and yard were made over the summer, the final important technical choices were only validated at the start of 2006, while the hull and the deck are being finished off in New Zealand.  The project direction and the working environment suit the skipper down to the ground: “Temenos will be the first of a new generation of Open 60 footers.  Recent months have taken it out of me a little but I’ve enjoyed it!  From the outset of this new project I have wished to be involved with the architects and engineers in the design of the new Temenos.  I’m fascinated in these studies, the theoretical reflections and the resulting direct, practical applications.   I’ve learnt a huge amount over the past months.  It was also crucial for me to have the possibility to follow, understand and express myself in relation to my experience as a sailor.  I have been able to do that and the quantity and the quality of the exchanges have been far greater than I could have possibly imagined.”

The uptuned hull of TEMENOS © Southern Ocean Marine

The Swiss Cruising Club paid tribute to Dominique’s past achievements and performance, awarding the skipper the title of sailor of the year 2005 last December during the General Meeting of the infamous Swiss club.  With the launch of the new Temenos planned this June, the skipper has his sights on 2006, a year which bodes particularly well.  Just weeks from his departure for New Zealand, Dominique gives us the latest on his monohull as it takes shape in the Southern Ocean Marine yard. 

Since construction began on 17 October, numerous stages have been successfully completed.  Once its mould was finished, the hull was put into the oven before Christmas.  Following each stage avidly the skipper is very satisfied with the result of two month’s construction.  “The polymerisation was good and the hull has come out at the planned weight.  It was turned over and placed onto its cradle.  The bulkheads have started being positioned in the interior.  The deck mould is on the point of being completed and the hull deck assembly should be achieved in around a month and a half’s time.”

Another important reason for the skipper’s satisfaction is that the yard is on schedule and respecting the set programme for construction.  “It’s an appreciable position to be in; we’re very happy to follow the developments to Temenos.  Construction of this type of boat represents over 20,000 man hours, and requires excellent coordination of the numerous contributors.  It’s rare to see these large yards keep to the schedule and even be slightly ahead as is currently the case!”

The first bulkheads are positioned © Southern Ocean Marine

As far as Dominique is concerned, these next few weeks will be devoted to designing the entire suit of sails.  With the construction of the mast set to begin in under a couple of weeks, the sail plan must also be defined within the same time slot to enable the rig design to be completed, a crucial stage, which simultaneously monopolises the time of skipper, architects, sail loft and mast manufacturer alike.  For this new challenge, Dominique has renewed his confidence in the Incidence sail loft in La Rochelle, a decision perpetuated from a collaboration begun back in 2001.  “There are several sail lofts capable of making good suits of sails but we opted for Incidence for several reasons.  It’s a high quality team, with proven technical solutions.  We know we can be completely confident in their long term commitment.  The sail loft is situated in La Rochelle, where Temenos will be based once it arrives in France.  As a result they can be highly reactive, able to sail aboard the boat on a regular basis and very easily intervene on the sails at any point.  The first suit will be delivered to New Zealand for Temenos’ first trial at the beginning of June.”

On the horizon for February is the departure for New Zealand, which should enable Dominique to make, what has been limited to an intellectual approach until now, into a concrete project.  “I haven’t stopped over the past few months.  I spend a lot of time at my computer and on the telephone, validating and coordinating everybody’s plans and actions.  For the moment I am experiencing the construction by intermediary of my computer screen, and today I’m really keen to touch the boat in the flesh, be a little more hands-on and play a more concrete role within the project.  It’s also highly important for the team to have inside knowledge of the boat and know how everything works on board, so as to be able to ensure its maintenance later on.”

Before all that though, numerous logistical aspects still have to be finalised, from contact with numerous European based suppliers to the final orders to be made.  In addition to this is the preparation and setting up of the logistics for the scheduled return of Temenos to La Rochelle in August.

About TEMENOS :

Provider of banking software packages, TEMENOS ensures the daily management of over 400 financial establishments around the world.  The quality of the products and services as well as the company’s savoir-faire, make it one of the world leaders in licence sales over the past seven years.  The TEMENOS T24 product is considered as the most developed banking system available.  Based in Geneva, TEMENOS has 39 offices in 31 countries with a client base extending across 110 countries. TEMENOS is quoted in the Swiss Exchange SWX (TEMN) www.temenos.com