Borja Nebreda, founder of Biscay Composites, has extensive experience in the construction and refits of high-tech boats. With pivotal roles at King Marine for Artemis Racing’s AC72 during the 2013 America’s Cup and at Persico for the VOR65 in the 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race, he served as the composite manager for Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia during the construction of Malizia-Seaexplorer, enhancing his composite technology expertise.
Driven by his extensive background, Borja established Biscay Composites in late 2022 in Cantabria. “It was time to set up my own structure,” he says with a smile. He was quickly contacted by the Hungarian Szalbocs Weöres, a candidate in the Vendée Globe 2024: “He asked me to carry out a comprehensive refit of his Imoca New Europe which included lowering the cockpit, revamping the deckhouse, overhauling all deck fittings and applying fresh paint.”
Biscay Composites’ team, formed of expert boatbuilders met during Borja’s shipyard tenure, took up the challenge, swiftly attracting other Imoca clients like the Guyot Environnement-Water Family team. They entrusted Borja Nebrada with the creation of two new rudders, a two-meter bow section, and a new bowsprit. “They reacted very quickly, launching the molds and building the parts in Spain before landing in Les Sables for five weeks. Their ability to rapidly prototype and execute complex refits was remarkable,” says Thomas Cardrin, boat captain and technical supervisor for the Vendée-based team.
Julien Bigot, the composite manager on Arnaud Boissières’ Imoca La Mie Câline, who called on the Spaniards for the 2023-2024 winter refit, echoed the same positive feedback: “Biscay Composites was super-responsive, immediately proposing solutions, deadlines and competitive rates. They managed to find a rhythm so as not to disrupt our own team.” When the team needed an emergency repair on the Imoca damaged after a collision with a fishing boat just before the last Défi Azimut in September, Julien Bigot didn’t hesitate: “We had 6m² destroyed just in front of the foil, I called Borja who immediately set up a plan of action with his team, they managed to repair in a week and a half, they were super efficient!”
“In our work, we prioritize understanding each team’s needs and optimize processes to build closer relationships than larger companies can offer. We strive to be integral to each project, sharing our clients’ enthusiasm and motivation”, says the founder of Biscay Composites. Since then, the Spanish team, now seasoned in commando-style missions, has undertaken numerous projects, including the deck renovation of Ecureuil d’Aquitaine, the winner of the first Vendée Globe, ballast modifications on Freelance.com, mast repairs on Initiatives Cœur, a composite refit and a complete paint job on Groupe Dubreuil and Guyot Environnement-Water Family.
The team is currently in Italy, working on the construction of a new vessel for Giovanni Soldini and finalizing a new 1000m² facility in Santander to better accommodate professional teams and their high-demand projects. “With this expansion, we are ready for new challenges and opportunities”, smiles Borja Nebreda.
Photo: Charles Drapeau
In partnership with 
