The ketch was commissioned by a European gent – an adventurous, highly-experienced sailor whose design brief can be paraphrased thus: “extended, off-chart, autonomous cruising, visiting some of the most remote places on the planet, especially in the high latitudes. Often sailing solo.”
Wind Spirit is the embodiment of that ideal. And some.
She was penned by Arnaud De Marignac – a Swiss designer based in Mauritius and himself a vastly experienced bluewater sailor. I caught up with him in Auckland while he was commissioning the yacht, before delivering her to Brest in France (via Cape Horn) over the Xmas/New Year period.
Quite a daunting maiden voyage, you’d agree, and guaranteed to be a stern test not only of De Marignac’s design but also of the ketch’s build and her innovative technology. He’s not been around the Horn before but isn’t concerned about what it might throw at him: “this is a very strong
