From the Solitaire du Figaro to the Vendée Globe
A great figure in the Figaro Class from 2000 to 2010, Nicolas Troussel won the Solitaire du Figaro three times. While he has always dreamed of taking part in the Vendée Globe, he has not found the budget to complete this round the world voyage.
He then devoted himself to other supports - Tour de France à la Voile, Class40 - until 2015/2016. In 2017, he met Corum, who embarked with him on a Class40 project for the 2018 Route du Rhum. At the end of 2019, his sponsor supported him for a Vendée Globe project, with the construction of a new boat.
That is how, after a long "fighter" course, Nicolas Troussel will be setting sail in his first Vendée Globe on 8th November 2020.
Realize your dream and discover mythical places
"I've always wanted it in my life. I've done everything I could to be at the start of this race one day. I'm lucky to be at the start this year. It's the only single-handed race around the world. That's what I wanted to do after my various solo experiences. A single-handed circumnavigation of the world on a beautiful boat."
This single-handed round-the-world voyage will also be an opportunity for Nicolas Troussel to discover places hitherto unknown. Places where only the Vendée Globe sailors dare to venture.
"I can't wait to see all the places I've never been. The Deep South first. The day I get there, I hope it'll be in good conditions. I've been wanting to do it for a long time. It's got to be the Cape Horn, too. It's a mythical cape that every sailor dreams of passing."
A latest-generation IMOCA designed for the Vendée Globe
For his circumnavigation of the world, Nicolas Troussel will be sailing on Corum l'Epargne, a latest-generation IMOCA equipped with foils. The boat is a Juan Kouyoumdjian design - the same architect who designed Sébastien Simon's Arkéa-Paprec. A choice dictated by the very short timeframe for the construction and reliability of the boat. Indeed, Corum l'Epargne is the last of the latest generation of foilers to be launched in May 2020. And to prepare for his first circumnavigation of the globe, the skipper has sailed with a reduced crew and on a single-handed boat.
"The whole boat has been designed and prepared for the Vendée Globe. It's really been designed for that. All our preparation has been focused on that. The launch took place very late due to the sanitary conditions. We adapted and made the choice to be ready, not to take part in the races this year. We are satisfied with the preparation. I'm pleased. The boat is now complete, ready to go. I've done quite a few miles on the boat, I know it quite well. It's a boat that's built for the Vendée Globe and has been tried and tested."
Although he has not compared himself to the other latest-generation foilers in terms of speed, as he has not taken part in any races, Nicolas Troussel is confident in his boat.
"It's a multi-purpose boat with the latest generation foils. It is fast and safe. It's well built, and we haven't had that many problems since the boat was launched. Of course I've never taken part in the Vendée Globe, and I have less experience than some sailors, but I have a lot of experience sailing single-handed."
A rewarding project
It was therefore with humility that the sailor first set himself the goal of completing his round the world voyage.
"It's been a very rewarding project from day one. It gives you access to a lot of things. You get to work with other people, there's a lot of people working on this project and that's what makes it rewarding. We're very well surrounded, with many specialists in many fields. It's bound to be interesting and everyone wants it to work. We're pulled up. It's motivating and it's really fun to experience."
Measuring up
Nicolas Troussel wants to share his race as much as possible, but he is aware that it's the race itself that will determine that.
"I hope I'm up to the task. But it's mostly the race that's going to limit that a little bit. It all depends on whether or not you feel like communicating. It's easy when everything is going well and the weather is great. We've got some tools that, when they work, are really interesting."
His prognosis for the podium of the Vendée Globe??
"The big favorite I think is Charal. Hugo boss may be a little unprepared. There's also Apivia who's been very strong since he's been sailing. It's going to be a surprise. It will all be a matter of dosage. There's a big difference in speed between foiler mode on and off."
