Following yesterday’s story about Vesper and Yachting Developments, we can now report that the company is well advanced with a large Philippe Briand-designed sloop destined to be Bristolian 11.

The photo on the left shows the timber male mould over which the new composite yacht will take shape. At 120ft the Briand sloop will sport futuristic, pod-style steering stations with unusual, heavily faired coamings.

Although the new yacht is well advanced she will be completed in new premises YDL are due to move into this summer in Hobsonville, Auckland.