How did the purchase of your new boat go?
Thanks to the support of Teamwork, which has been following me since I started in Mini in 2012, we acquired the former Charal, which was skippered by Jérémy Beyou. Launched in 2019, this IMOCA was the first to be equipped with foils and regularly finished on the podium. (Editor's note: The first foilers in the 2016 Vendée Globe did not have the objective of actually flying)
This joint development is a culmination for Teamwork and for me. I'm starting to have enough experience to compete in IMOCA, and Teamwork has also developed on an entrepreneurial level.
The buyout was made official in July 2022, but I did my 1200 mile qualification beforehand.
Did you have other IMOCA boats in mind?
Not necessarily. There were not many boats available on the market. And the Charal corresponded well to our project. Although, at the beginning, I imagined having a boat of the previous generation.
In concrete terms, how is the integration into BY Racing, Jérémie Beyou's team, going?
We are integrated in the training structure of Team Charal. We share the same premises and all the training infrastructure. Each boat has its own technicians, but they can be attached to one of the teams depending on the needs.
We also share training sessions, in order to share our feedback and performances. To simplify, except for Charal 2 data, we have access to everything. It's an advantage for both teams, and brings a big added value to our respective teams.
Thanks to the sharing of training, we progress faster and we share our thoughts on performance.
What modifications did you make to your new boat?
Thanks to the commitment and know-how of Team Charal, we have a very reliable boat. I want to get my bearings first and accumulate miles before making any modifications. Our timing was a bit short to launch into a major project. The priority was to sail as soon as possible.
Franck Cammas said that you had the potential to win the Route du Rhum. It's a great recognition!
Of course, but I'm keeping a cool head. The field will be exceptional in this Route du Rhum. My goal is above all the next Vendée Globe, but also to achieve a good performance in the Route du Rhum.
You have a very eclectic experience (Mini, Figaro, Class40, Volvo Ocean Race, then IMOCA). What is the most beneficial for your new project?
My sailing with the Eleventh Hour team has been very rich, especially thanks to my collaboration with Simon Fisher. We also had the support of Pascal Bidégorry, who is an excellent performer, and who taught me how to operate this type of boat. I learned thanks to a great team to get the best out of these complex machines.
Lake Geneva is a foil boat laboratory. Did your culture and experience on Lake Geneva have an influence on your apprehension of offshore foiling?
Not necessarily, because I left Geneva when foil started to develop there.
As a hobby, I practice the Wing foil, which is an excellent support to continue flying while developing a good physical condition. The understanding of one medium is valid for all the others, all experiences are complementary.
