Built in 1986 in england under the direction of naval architect Tony Castro, Esprit de Corps I was named Blade. This 40-foot one design was both an elegant innovative technical deisgn for tis time and was destined to race in the Admiral’s cup.

 

In the early 90’s the sail company North Sails used the boat as a test sailboat and in 1996 the boat and her crew represented Canada in the Key West Race week.

 

Following her glory days, she was left in the great lakes by her owner where she attracted the attention of two passionate sailors. It was in 1998 that Yvon Pelletier and Pierre Bégin purchased the boat and began major renovations. The time work spent can be measured in months, that it took to restore the carbon epoxy and kevlar hull, to renew the piping and the electronics aboard and to intall a teck floor. At this stage the boat was renamed Peter Pan.

 

Finally it was in 2010 that the boat changed owner’s once more and became the property of Gilles Barbot and Groupe Esprit de Corps. This purchase was a first step for Gilles in reginiting with his adolescent passion and racing past.

 

Stored on dry land since 2015, the boat is warehoused in Quebec and meticulously taken care of by the Atlas Sailing Team and serves as a training boat for the crew.

 

The Atlas Sailing Team is actively looking for a team that would like to dedicate themselves to sailing Esprit de Corps I and would be open to loaning the boat to an organised team of young sailors to help further quebec sailing and inspire a younger generation to pursue their passion and democratize the sport.