After months of waiting, the new foils are on board. These large black appendages that we imagined, designed and built throughout the winter are finally where they belong.

The installation required the final adjustments — calibrating the sensors, bearings and control systems. As Technical Director Enrico Bandiera explains, for the team, the first sail would be much more than a simple day out.

The first time out came straight after installation. The weather was very kind — moderate wind — which let us test the whole system without pushing it immediately to full load. The goal was to understand how the boat responds, validate the baseline parameters and feel the first impressions.

First sensations are good. The sail ends with tests validated and some important data in hand.

To test the new sails, we had Michele Malandra with us, a sailmaker from North Sails who was involved in designing our J2 and J3. Several sessions with more wind, continuous adjustments — sails going back and forth between the boat and the sailmaker's loft for small corrections each time. And it was during this phase that "Allagrande Mapei" flew for the first time on the new foils.

The philosophy behind these new sails compared to last year is clear: they're slightly bigger, because the new foils bring much more power to the boat, which can therefore handle more heeling moment. You can push harder. The shape seems right.

In July, Alberto "Albi" Riva — a long-standing friend of the team — came back to Lorient for a week of sailing and performance support.

Lorenzo Sironi also came over from Italy for his big test as on-board reporter: the goal was to see whether he'd be comfortable on a demanding offshore, since we'd like to have him with us during the 48 hours of the Défi Azimut. Being on board an IMOCA at full speed on her foils is something you need to experience to believe — you can't wing it, and Ambrogio wanted to be sure.

The warm-up came on 14 July: while almost all the French members of the team were off for Bastille Day, Albi, Gianlu, Bogi and Lorenzo headed out for a 100% Italian training day alongside the new Malizia.

Then came the big offshore: 48 hours at sea heading towards Spain, in sustained breeze. On board: Bogi, Lorenzo, Albi, Riccardo and Antoine Koch — the boat's designer. Always with Malizia alongside. Sailing next to another IMOCA is invaluable: speed tests, sail configurations compared side by side, different settings, cross-referenced data. And having Antoine Koch on board was something special: he knows every system of the boat deeply, every physical sensation — he's the one who designed her.

Ambrogio came back very satisfied. Lorenzo turned out to be a perfect on-board reporter: not a hint of seasickness, always alert and smiling. He flew the drone even in 30 knots of wind and produced extraordinary footage. A complete success.

Let's be clear: "Allagrande Mapei", great boat as she is, is a 2023 design and has fallen somewhat behind the competition in terms of technological optimisation over the past few years. The transition year of 2025 inevitably put technical development on hold. But with this major refit validated, we've closed a significant part of the gap. Now we need to keep pace, keep pushing the thinking, anticipate the developments — and arrive at the Vendée Globe with a boat that's at the front of the fleet.

On returning from sea, bad news: the port foil came out of the foil case damaged. It had to be removed and sent for repair, with the whole system revised.

That's how prototype development works in offshore racing: you test, something breaks, you fix it. It's precisely why you need to plan for plenty of sailing time.

On Wednesday 22 July, the team treated themselves to a little getaway to the island of Groix: a zodiac ride, a swim, dinner on the island. A great moment as a group, enjoying the summer weather and the beauty of Brittany.

July also brought two very fine articles!