Élise welcomes us on the Groupama Team France base, during the Toulon stage of the AC World Series. A stage in prelude of the America's Cup . In a world that is still predominantly masculine, guarded by the Anglo-Saxons, serious, ultra elitist, her smile and the joy of living that she transmits are simply incredible.
How does one become a deck and wing rig manager on the Cup?
"I discovered sailing late in life, at a Paris Boat Show when I was 16. This unknown world immediately attracted me and seemed obvious to me. So I started sailing, then I quickly joined the Merchant Navy school and passed my Yachtmaster diploma. However, although I was on the sea, this life project did not yet bring me what I was looking for. I quickly discovered seamanship, and started to work by learning on the job with the best. One thing leading to another, I worked on faster and faster boats, such as the ORMAs and other IMOCAs, and I worked with Franck Cammas from 2007 on Groupama 3. When Franck set up Team France, it was almost natural for me to follow him into the adventure."
Isn't it frustrating not to be able to navigate when working on these machines?
"I also sailed. I did 4 years of Mini 6.50, in competition, and this experience allowed me to acquire two things: a global and complete vision of a sailboat in intensive use - from electricity to communications through appendage profiles - but also and above all the certainty that my real pleasure lies in the preparation and improvement of the rigging. And with this discovery, I was able to develop my art to the point of excellence. A position that has allowed me to find my place in the French team."
But what is your role in this team?
"You have to know how to be extremely versatile. Of course my role is the rigging. But the rules of the Cup impose a maximum of 5 preparers and 6 sailors, that is 11 people authorized to touch the boat. Given the volume of work, it's permanent mutual aid, and I've even gone underwater to clean the hulls. The team is a real family, we spend our lives together, it's not always easy, but it's a tremendously rewarding lifestyle."
What are the 3 important dates in your life?
1 - When I discovered sailing at the Paris Boat Show
2 - My first Vendée Globe start, in 2005, when I saw JP Dick's Virbac-Paprec, which I had prepared, go off the horizon.
3 - When I decided to join Team France for the Cup, to make this total bet to devote myself 100% to this new adventure and hope that I like it. It was my biggest betâeuros¦
How do you see your future?
"Of course we all ask ourselves the question. From a private point of view, since the professional life we all chose here is totally consuming us, and the desire to start a family and spend time with it is more and more present, there are choices to be made. But professionally speaking, I don't know if I could "go back", work on less exclusive media again. It's like in the car, when you work in F1, you discover a world where doing your job is no longer enough. Here, we are constantly pushing the technical limits, we innovate, we are part of the progress. So if you ask me what's after the Cup, I think I'll tell you... another Cup!"
