6Sens Le Defi Frantais 2000 Half Hull Model Ship

6Sens Le Defi Frantais 2000 Half Hull Model Ship - 1999 sees a new challenge structure with a dynamic, resourceful and youthful syndicate. Originally called Yaka, (French slang for 'just do it') the syndicate is the brainchild of Luc Gellusseau and Pierre Mas, of Corum Sailing Team fame. Gellusseau who now runs the technical and design team, has managed to group together the best bits of the previous French challenges along with a large quantity of new, young talent. He and Mas realised that it was important to stay out of French national politics and to that end the syndicate is a relatively small budget operation.

The sponsorship was supplied early by two technology companies, Bouygues Telecom and Transiciel. Le Defi, as it is now called, only dreamt of builidng one boat and are well organised, completely transparent and very motivated.

Bertrand PacT is at the helm of the boat, Thierry Pepponet is tactician and the well-respected Dutchman Marcel van Triest is navigator. PacT, undoubtly France's most talented helmsman today, is a top ranked match racer - world champion in 1994 and runner-up in 1998 - commands huge loyalty amongst his crew and is mature in his approach after three Cups.

The design team includes such notables as Bernard Nivelt and Daniel Andrieu along with other names from the French world of composite structures and aerodynamics.

The stated goal of the French Team was to do a good and to get to the Louis Vuitton semi-finals.They succed with their victory against America one, and reached to an honorable 6th rank.

The Art of making half hulls is as old as ship building itself. Half Hulls were crafted by ship builders to give three-dimensional shape to their hull designs.

Crafted in striking mahogany and tropical hard woods, the hulls are assembled one at a time, using traditional plank-on-bulkhead modelling techniques.

After the bulkheads are laid and the hull lines trued, the hulls are planked with individual wooden stripes to form a smooth silhouette. The model is then sanded, hand painted and varnished to a mirror-like finish. Packaging is extemely secure to allow for a safe passage.

They are then mounted on ready to hang wooden plaque, each is complete with an engraved brass nameplate. Their lines are exceptionally beautiful and intricately detailed. Excellent nautical gift for the sea lover.

Size: 75 cm L x 20 cm Hgh