Fujicolor ORMA | The Short | Multihulls World

► They embodied the golden age of ocean-racing multihulls in the 1990s and early 2000s. Fast, spectacular and particularly demanding, the ORMA 60 trimarans gradually disappeared from the major offshore races. Yet the 2026 Route du Rhum will bring several of them back into the spotlight in the Vintage Multi category. Among them is one of the most famous: Loïck Peyron’s former Fujicolor II, now Arkéa - Handicap International, which Damien Seguin will sail solo from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre starting on November 1. ► Our senior reporter Brieuc Maisonneuve recently had the chance to sail aboard: “I had the chance to take part in the Nuit des Îles du Ponant aboard Damien Seguin’s ORMA Arkéa – Handicap International. A legendary trimaran, born in 1990 with Mike Birch, which subsequently enjoyed its glory years in the hands of Loïck Peyron, Jean-Luc Nélias and Bertrand de Broc. More than thirty-five years after she was launched, however, the adventure is far from over. Next November, she will return to the Atlantic and the 2026 Route du Rhum, sailed by another major figure in sailing: Damien Seguin.” ► From Mike Birch to Damien Seguin Designed by Nigel Irens and launched in March 1990 as Velvia de Fujichrome for Mike Birch, the trimaran entered the Route du Rhum that same year. She finished fourth, behind Florence Arthaud, Philippe Poupon and Laurent Bourgnon. Renamed Fujicolor II, she won the Trophée des Multicoques the following year before beginning a particularly successful period with Loïck Peyron. ► Peyron notably won the OSTAR aboard her in 1992 and again in 1996, as well as several Trophées des Multicoques and Courses de l’Europe. Fujicolor II also secured the ORMA titles in 1997 and 1998, with the latter season proving particularly impressive as the trimaran won every Grand Prix in the championship. ► This longevity naturally came with numerous developments. As early as 1992, the trimaran received a canting wing mast and her deck layout was simplified. Foils appeared on the floats the following year, while sail area increased. The bows of the floats were subsequently refined, the daggerboard lengthened and the rig continued to evolve. After being dismasted in 2002, the trimaran even received a mast from Francis Joyon’s former Eure-et-Loir - Lorenove. Having subsequently sailed under the colors of Belgacom, Banque Covefi, Academy and then Yasasin, among others, the trimaran returned to France at the end of 2025 for a complete refit at Éole Performance. The structure, electronics, energy and safety systems were upgraded, along with ergonomic adaptations for Damien Seguin and the integration of solutions using natural fibers. Relaunched in early May, she was officially christened Arkéa - Handicap International in Brest on June 23, with none other than Loïck Peyron as godfather, accompanied by Paralympic champion Marie-Amélie Le Fur. A rather nice way to come full circle, isn’t it? ► Read more here: https://www.multihulls-world.com/news-catamaran-trimaran/route-du-rhum-2026-the-return-of-the-legends ► Become a FREE SUBSCRIBER to Multihulls World's YouTube page now - https://www.youtube.com/c/MultihullsWorld ► Log on to our website to discover over 600 multihulls tests! Subscribe to our newsletter to take advantage of our promotions and boat show invitations! https://www.multihulls-world.com/ ► Follow us on Facebook! https://m.facebook.com/MultihullsWorldMag/?locale2=fr_FR ► Discover us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/multihulls_world/ ► Follow our multi news on X https://twitter.com/multihullsworld?lang=fr ► Let’s talk about business https://www.linkedin.com/company/multicoques-mag-multihulls-world/ ► Like us on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@multihullsworldmag #multihullsworld #yachting #multihull #cruising #bluewater #sailing #sailcruising #seatrial #boatreview #bluewatersailing #boat #boatlife #boating #sailingday #magazine #youtube #tiktok #catamaran #regatta #routedurhum #fujicolororma #fuficolor