A close-knit crew
Harold, who was lulled by tales of sailing from an early age, used his first earnings to acquire a Centurion 32. He then explored the world of regattas aboard an X332, then a JPK 10.10, actively participating in numerous competitions and achieving significant results.
For her part, Thaïs worked in communications for ocean racing projects in Lorient, before launching her own project, Code 0, while regularly taking part in ocean sailing activities, as she explains:
"I've done a crossing to the Azores, and a few offshore races, but I don't necessarily have a lot of ocean racing experience. I still have a lot of new things to discover"
Parents of two young children, Thaïs and Harold felt that the timing was right for this project of a lifetime: racing a transatlantic race as a couple.
"I was pregnant with our 2 e when we decided to embark on the Cap Martinique project. I dreamed of doing a transatlantic race, but I never thought I'd have the opportunity to race it. Harold was more focused on racing. Then Thibaut Meute convinced us to go for it.
We accompanied the competitors at the start of the first edition, and that was a turning point."
Putting their role as parents on hold, the couple plan to entrust their two young children to their care for the duration of the transatlantic crossing:
"It's going to be a little heartbreaking to leave them on land, with their grandparents."
JPK 10.10 made for doubles
Thaïs and Harold have been preparing since 2023, with La Trinité sur Mer as their home port, alongside some twenty other competitors. They will set sail aboard a JPK 10.10, acquired in 2020.
On board, they raced the local regatta circuit, while spending many nights at sea. Thaïs recounts:
" The atmosphere among the competitors is really excellent. On the first training session, Harold wasn't available, but I was able to set off with Régis Vian, who welcomed me aboard. It was really interesting!
We did our qualifying in July, at the La Trinité-Cowes race. This allowed us to progress by doing improved solo runs, to sharpen our reflexes.
We've made a lot of progress in terms of strategy and weather. Nevertheless, we would have liked to have had more time for everything, it's dizzying to set off!
In terms of technical preparation, the JPK is a well-built yacht, which doesn't require any major alterations. We added handrails and footbraces, redid a few sails, went over the boat with a fine-toothed comb, then changed all the maneuvers before relaunching.
We added a spare computer, then salvaged a lot of sails that already existed"
Supporting cystic fibrosis research
Thaïs, who is an asymptomatic carrier of the cystic fibrosis gene, aims to actively promote the Vaincre la Mucoviscidose association, making a significant contribution to the progress of research in this field.
"The Vaincre la Mucoviscidose association, founded in 1965, tirelessly pursues its commitment to fighting this still incurable condition, which affects 7,500 people, between children and adults, in France. The consequences on patients' quality of life are considerable, which is why the organization has mobilized to improve the daily lives of sufferers, defend their rights and stimulate scientific research in the hope of finding a cure".
