Official skippers of the Macif Course au large team, following in the footsteps of renowned skippers such as François Gabart, Yohann Richomme and Charlie Dalin, Loïs Berrehar and Erwan Le Draoulec are racing under the insurer's colors on the Figaro circuit. The young sailors, aged 29 and 26, express their vision of this class, what they are looking for in it and the developments in ocean racing.
Why go through the Figaro Class?
Loïs Berrehar: This is the only true one-design in ocean racing. It limits the budget and technical developments. It is the sailor who makes the difference and we are always looking to improve. The fact that there is a renewal in the class, with the start of the next Solitaire without any winner, is a unique possibility, to be the next generation of these winning sailors in Figaro who made us dream.
Erwan Le Draoulec : There is a crazy level. So, when you get to a different medium, everything is easier. It's the Math Sup / Math Spé of sailing. You may not always be at the top of the class, but you learn a lot, with a better level than the good ones in some other classes.
What is the interest of double-handed events, such as this Banque Populaire Grand Ouest Trophy that you have just won?
Erwan Le Draoulec : Before the double-handed race, it was mostly long tacks and offshore sailing like in the Transat. This time, it was like a big Figaro leg, but double-handed. It's a very beautiful race.
Loïs Berrehar: At Macif, we are very close and we generally race double-handed together. Often, when you're tired when you're sailing alone, you don't think about it anymore. Here, with two of us, there is a lot to discuss, with the currents, the weather...
And after the Figaro, what would you like?
Loïs Berrehar: The ultimate dream for any ocean racer is the Vendée Globe. But to start with competitive boats and to be in front, it is very complex and you need big budgets, but there are other very interesting classes. The Class 40 is interesting in monohulls. The Ocean Fifty, when you are interested in multihulls, is great and much less expensive. We are working on a project.
Looking to the future, how do you see the notion of environment and sustainability in ocean racing?
Loïs Berrehar: The Figaro is already not so bad. We limit the sail set. When you change it, if you compare it to motor sports, as the wind is the fuel, it's like changing only the tires. There is no fuel.
Then, in one-design, the construction is not so expensive and on the other hand, while sailing, we witness many things. It's up to us to share them.
Erwan Le Draoulec : In competition, there is always development, but we can still be careful. One-design could be the place to make things evolve. Who knows, maybe the Figaro 4 will be a linen boat.
