Your last Figaro was in 2003 - 15 years ago - why come back this year to the Figaro circuit?
Mainly for the new boat. My last Figaro was 15 years ago, and the last one 12 years earlier. In Figaro I only did the first editions with new boats. The first time in 1980, 40 years ago, was the first year there were production boats. I did it once in half, once in Figaro 1, once in Figaro 2 and finally in Figaro 3. It's implacable logic!
What attracts you to this class?
What interests me is to leave on equal terms with specialists. I'm not one, but it's not bad to try to level a little bit; to relearn together to try to master a small sailboat. It's not big, and that's what's pretty about this sport. There are monstrous talents who have run on other media and come back to compete on equal terms every year.
Will your experience on other boats - they call you Mr. Multihull - be able to serve you on this new support?
They are sailing boats, but it's a discovery for everyone. The specialists in this discipline will remain specialists. There are many micro details, management on board, timing, rhythm, choreography and rhythm that are maintained over the years of work. At least half the fleet has a very good command of all these things.
My experience with foils has nothing to do with it. It's like wings on a bird. Between an albatross and a penguin there is one that flies better than the other. Just because you put foils on a bathtub or wings on a bike doesn't mean it's going to make a plane. The Figaro 3 does not have a foil made to fly, it is just a tilted drift.
What do you think of this new boat you're discovering?
I think it's a lot of good, it's much more complex than the previous one. Because it is a little more complicated with its 2 more sails, the use of headsails is more precise. The fleet is therefore less likely to follow each other. It is the technology that has been embedded in recent years; like AIS, which makes it possible to know where the others are. For white hair, it's boring, but the others are used to it. We have seen on previous events that the game is very open.
In your opinion, is this a good evolution for the Figaro class?
There is a good initial feeling that wants to be respected by everyone. It is absolutely necessary to preserve the monotype and for that to happen, the starting point must not be too bad, and that is the case. There have been some youth concerns, but who doesn't. There is a common impetus from all actors to avoid the delusions of previous years. That's kind of what stopped me from getting back on the Figaro. That's why I only did freshman year. The first year, no one had time to tinker. The next ones were the door open to a lot of drift.
All this seems to be in the past, which is very good news for the future generations that will continue, which will not be my case. I've always only done one season and that's enough for me.
You didn't have much time between the reception of the boats and the first races. How did you organize your schedule?
I am much better prepared than previous editions. 15 years ago I received my boat the day before the departure of the equivalent of the Solo Master Rooster - which I had won... At that time it was enough. Now it's not enough at all. We were all delivered about the same time and we had two or even three preparatory tests. I've never trained so much on a Figaro before. We never have enough time, but it was already too much. When you don't have time, at least you have an alibi, but this time I have no excuses.
Are your boat and its skipper ready?
Everything is ready. This is the first time I've spent so much time preparing. The other Figaro participations 15 years ago, I finished the race and started on something else. I was busier than I am now. For this 2019 edition, I dedicated myself exclusively to her. It was a preparation with friends, very pleasant.
What are your objectives for this race?
Try not to hurt yourself too much, which will be difficult to respect. And learn. It's not even "relearning", because there are a lot of things you thought you'd forgotten, but I don't know. It's a specialty and I'm not a specialist in this boat. It's still sailing, but there's an exceptional level!
What will be your program after the Figaro?
I immediately boarded the Transpac, a multihull race in Mod 70. With the British and Americans to defend the record I have still held for 2 years with Franck Cammas' former Groupama.
Then I hope to be able to go on a little cruise with my family.
Then I go back to work with Outremer and Gunboat to do some fun little things on cruise ships. We will then finish the Figaro season with Amélie Gracie on the Tour of Brittany.
