Double world champion in freeride skiing
Born in Chamonix, Aurélien comes from a family of mountain people. This family of mountain guides and ski instructors introduced him to competition at a very early age. He forged a record of success as a teenager, winning several ski jumping titles. But it is in freeride skiing that he will know the consecration in his skiing career. This discipline consists of descending an unmarked slope, without time limit or defined trajectory.
" Every rider has a chance, the skier must express his style with the least possible constraints. "
It is in this extreme sport that Aurélien will win twice the title of world champion.
A reconversion in sailing
In 2011, in parallel to his skiing career, Aurélien took his first steps in the world of ocean racing by entering the Mini circuit. And the beginnings are difficult.
" I didn't know many people when I arrived in Lorient, and I knew even less about sailing. Everything was new. I started the 2011 Mini Transat when I had only been sailing for a year. I couldn't finish it because I broke my two rudders, but then I finished ranked on most of the other races of the circuit. "
Aurélien then gained experience on different boats: Figaro, IMOCA, Class40, Diam24. He sails with skippers like Romain Attanasio, Louis Duc, or Yannick Bestaven. In coastal or offshore racing, Aurélien eats up the miles with the same passion as he descends the slopes.
He stopped his skiing career in 2015 to devote himself fully to sailing.
The Crosscall Sailing Team
With his experience and enthusiasm communicating, Aurélien is building a brand new Class40 in 2021 in the colors of Crosscall, the manufacturer of reinforced phones.
This Lombard design, called Lift V2, makes the most of the gauge. Its hyper-wide hull is equipped with a bow giving it a scow-like appearance, which allows it to save weight while providing a lot of power. This type of bow also delays the phenomenon of burying and brings a better passage in the chop.
Despite a slightly aggressive look that would lead one to believe that it is exclusively designed for downwind sailing, this prototype is extremely versatile. The power in the upper reaches is moderate to facilitate the pitching and limit the weight towards the front. The hull is an evolution of the Lift 1, with which Yoann Richomme won the 2018 Route du Rhum.
Well born, the boat proved its potential by winning the Class40 crewed world championship. But it is especially in solo that Aurélien prepared himself to take the start of his first Route du Rhum.
Optimal preparation
Since its launch, Aurélien has sailed nearly 15,000 miles on this Lift V2 prototype. It is at the helm of a reliable boat that he is beginning to know well that the Crosscall skipper will take the start of the Route du Rhum.
" It hasn't been easy, but I'm confident. We've worked hard to optimize the boat, especially on the onboard electronics. My autopilot is an adaptation of a model used on the IMOCA fleet, which takes into account a maximum of navigation parameters. Heading, wind, waves and target speed: everything is analyzed and set up to maximize the steering.
The competition will be very tough, but I hope to stay in the leading group until Pointe à Pitre".
