What is your first memory at mer??
My first memories of the sea are memories of a family cruise. I was 5 years old and we went on a sailing cruise to Ireland.
What triggered you to launch yourself into this carrière??
I didn't really click, because I always wanted to do that. I won the Solo Telegram in 1999. I was 25 years old and that made things possible.
I've always wanted to sail. It was a dream, but if it hadn't worked for me as a sailor, I would have done something else in the world of sailing, or boating.
Did you have a mentor or a skipper marquant??
What impressed me afterwards, and it seemed natural at the time, was my relationship with Armel le Cléac'h and Jeremie Beyou. This is what has naturally helped us to progress, without competition between us.
Which boat left you the best souvenir??
The family cruise ship. It was a Harley design, a Tokay, a weighted aluminum dinghy. I am not particularly attached to boats, but this one is linked to family memories. Otherwise, I look forward rather than back, I don't feel nostalgic, a boat must allow me to achieve objectives in competition.
What is your greatest success with marin??
I have trouble answering this question because a successful sailor can be a crossing of the Atlantic. It can also be to bring my boat back to port, even if we can consider that there is some luck. One of my objectives would be to go around the world... but it hasn't happened to me yet.
For me, a good sailor is someone who has managed to go where he wants. I wasn't always so lucky.
It's not winning a race that makes you a good sailor. That makes us a pretty good sailor.
On a daily basis, what is your practice of plaisance??
It depends on the projects. I have a fairly regular practice outside of my professional navigation hours. Whether it is with my children sailing dinghies on the beach or going on a summer cruise for several weeks with them. We would always like to do more, but it is not always easy.
If you hadn't been a skipper, what would you have fait??
I would have done a job that involves the sea or competitive sailing. I haven't given it much thought, but I'm interested in everything in the boating world. Even the contact with cruise passengers. It's very large.
