Romain Bouillard-Voyatis is 30 years old and has a good experience of the sea and of competition, whether in light sailing around 3 buoys or in liveaboard, notably in Figaro 2, Grand Surprise or First Class 8. Now owner of a Mini 6.50, he chose to visit Symi, the island of his maternal ancestors, and to get some offshore experience before registering for the Mini class class.
Crewed sailing
The departure will be from La Rochelle and will include a tour of Southern Europe via Corsica, Sardinia and the island of Symi, near Rhodes. This Odyssey, which should last three months, will be done with as many stopovers as necessary and without any pressure other than to discover the boat and to reinforce the crew cohesion. Indeed, Romain does not plan to sail without his Beagle dog named Kiwi.
A proven boat
Romain Bouillard's boat is well known by Mini 6.50 regulars. This Pogo 2, the 504, is without doubt one of those who have sailed the most miles in races, including 3 Mini transats. It's a technical boat, with a lot of canvas and absolutely not designed for cruising. Romain is aware of this, but a first delivery upwind and in a difficult sea did not dampen his enthusiasm.
Under the protection of the Greek gods
We met him on the technical platform in La Rochelle where he is busy preparing the boat. The running rigging has been replaced, the electronics and the pilot have been renovated, but the most spectacular thing is the frescoes that cover the planking. Kó, a Parisian street artist, is in charge. With his stencils and his bombs, he creates beautiful evocations of Aeolus and Poseidon. A work that will be fixed by 2 layers of marine varnish.
The Odyssey before the competition
Before coming back to sailing, Romain used to organize motorcycle tours of Parisian sites dedicated to street art. It is therefore no coincidence that he combines his passions for the sea, Greece and this mode of expression. It is under the high patronage of the Greek gods that Romain Bouillard places his adventure which includes several phases: The trip to Greece, the registration to the Mini races, with in filigree the preparation for a possible participation in a next Mini transat.
The departure is planned in the first part of July. Even if the Mini is not the ideal cruiser, this way of sailing far and taming his boat, before entering it in competition, is an approach that seems interesting and healthy.
