Harken interviews Kévin Escoffier, Skipper of PRB, before the start of the Vendée Globe

Kévin Escoffier is about to leave for the Vendée Globe, the solo, non-stop race around the world considered the "Everest of the Seas." He already has a Jules Verne Trophy and two Volvo Ocean Race campaigns to his credit, including a victorious one in the last edition with Dongfeng Race Team, and he previously headed up Team Banque Populaire’s design office. A technology nut, this French sailor has already been part of the PRB team, playing a role in the construction of Vincent Riou’s Farr design for the Vendée Globe 2006. It’s at the helm of the VPLP/Verdier design launched in 2010 (the last PRB helmed by Vincent Riou), that Kévin will take on this mighty challenge: his first Vendée Globe! We asked Kevin to describe life onboard an IMOCA 60 in one word. The answer? Violent. With a massive sail area, these are the most powerful monohulls on the planet led by a solo skipper. They can go beyond 30 knots in downwind conditions. Watch the video to learn what sailing these beasts is like.