The skippers
Lalou Roucayrol has been a multihull addict for nearly thirty years. He began his career as a professional skipper in 1985, but discovered sailing at a much younger age when he joined the Cercle Nautique de Verdon at 6 years old.
Since then, he has participated in numerous international regattas and has sailed on many multihulls: catamarans, prao, trimarans and of all sizes. Today, this undisputed figure in ocean racing is a big name in the Multi 50 class, with his boat Arkema, which he designed with the architect Romaric Neyhousser. He designed it specifically for single-handed ocean racing and more specifically for the Transatlantic races (Route du Rhum and Jacques Vabre). It is the last Multi 50 to be launched in 2013.
After a great second place, and a fierce battle with his formidable rival, Erwan Le Roux, in the 2014 Route du Rhum, he returns to the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2015. He has 7 participations to his credit, but comes back more motivated than ever. Indeed, in 2013, he had been victim of a capsize and had to abandon the race.
He hopes to win with his co-skipper César Dohy.
César Dohy is a Parisian by birth and it is not naturally that he discovered the sea. At the age of 6, he participated in a convoy between Ouistreham and Granville alongside his cousins. He took a passion for sailing and started in Micro and Star.
In 1997, he decided to enter the School of Architecture in Southampton, but continued to sail on many different types of boats. He followed an Olympic preparation in Star and at the same time obtained his diploma. He then joined Olivier de Kersauson's team for two years and set a series of records: Atlantic records, Discovery Routeâ?¦
Then, he decided, in collaboration with his friend Axel Beaufort, to build a 60-foot Imoca project, called Solune. Launched in 2003, the boat won many records: Recordman (WSSRC) of the round the British Isles, Recordman (WSSRC) of the round Ireland race or Recordman (WSSRC) Cowes to Dinard.
In 2006, César joined Incidences Sails in La Rochelle as a sail designer. But he does not abandon sailing because he participates in many competitions, especially in Imoca.
Since the launch of the Arkema Multi50, César Dohy has been an integral part of the project. While he was Lalou Roucayrol's coach in the Route du Rhum in 2014, this year he was persuaded to accompany him in the Transat Jacques Vabre.
The Boat
Technical specifications
| Class | Multi 50 |
| Sail | FRA 9 |
| Length | 15,24 m |
| Width | 15 m |
| Home port | Port Medoc |
| Architect | Romaric Neyhousser |
| Construction site (builder) | Lalou Multi |
| Year of launch | 2013 |
| Upwind sail area | 160 m3 |
| Sail area downwind | 290 m2 |
| Source of energy production on board | Diesel engine |
