What is your first memory at mer??
It's difficult to sort out because I've been on the water since I was very young. I started at the age of 5, at the sailing school in Saint-Philibert (Morbihan). I started sailing quite late, since I went windsurfing until I was 18 years old.
I have a very small memory: I was windsurfing and found myself alone in the river, crying, in the Trinity Channel. I couldn't get back to Saint-Philibert and it was passers-by who brought me back by car.
Which boat left you the best souvenir??
Once again the question is difficile?! I would say the Transat alone in the Figaro, especially the one I win. Le Figaro was 18 years of my life. These are the best memories I have.
Now, the boat I loved is the trimaran Spindrift, the maxi, the MOD70. These are different sailing sensations and it was much more exciting. Then, of all my sailing and sea memories, the best ones are in Figaro.
Start of the 1st stage of the Solitaire Bompard Le Figaro © Alexis Courcoux
What is your greatest success with marin??
My victory in the Transat Bretagne-Martinique in 2013. First of all, because it was solo and it's something special. And then because I won it.
After three years and having made 2nd and 3rd in my first participations, I really wanted to win. I had already passed not very far. After that podium, I was really happy. I had a nice run.
On a daily basis, what is your practice of plaisance??
I hardly do any because I don't have a pleasure boat. I sometimes rent a boat and do it with the kids.
On the other hand, I do a lot of water activities: SUP, kitesurfing, a little bit of everything that goes on the water. I go there every week.
But pleasure boating marked all my youth. I wasn't racing young, just cruising. Today, I don't have time, I do a lot of course?; and during the holidays, we do something else.
When I would not do many races anymore, I would probably go on a cruise to keep in touch with the sea.
If you hadn't been a skipper, what would you have fait??
I wanted to be a high mountain guide. When I was 18, I asked around to do this in Chamonix. It didn't work because you had to live there. Or maybe a firefighter. But finally, I did bateau?!
Victory in the Transat Bretagne - Martinique ©Alexis Courcoux
Portrait
Erwan Tabarly - nephew of the famous skipper who disappeared at sea - made his mark as Figaro Bénéteau. He discovered the sea from an early age, but it is for windsurfing that the sailor is passionate. He will do so until the age of 18 before moving on to ocean racing. In 1999, he participated in his first Mini-transat, winning the 2nd stage. Then it was on the Figaro circuit that he made his name. He is one of the strongest figures in this class and he hopes to continue on the circuit in 2019 at the helm of a Bénéteau Figaro 3.
