Thibaut, you've been appointed president of the Ocean Fifty class. What does this mean to you?
Since 2017, Erwan Le Roux has held the presidency of the class. He led the evolution and profound changes in the class. The job was really committed on his part. After 7 years of presidency, a rotation of representation was hyper-important, in order to show a form of renewal in the class.
Describe the upcoming program for the 2024 season
As in previous seasons, we make a point of alternating the different regatta formats. This year, the championship will be called Ocean Fifty Series, replacing Pro Sailing Tour, which we could no longer use.
The championship kicks off with a first leg in Saint-Malo from May 22 to 26. Pornichet will be the next stop, from June 19 to 23. The major event of 2024 will be the Route des Terre-Neuvas, starting on August 17 in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and finishing between August 22 and 25 in Saint-Quay-Portrieux. Next, the fleet of 50-foot Ocean Fifty trimarans will sail to the Mediterranean to take part in the fourth leg of the Ocean Fifty Series, the Med Max, scheduled from September 29 to October 4, between Port-Camargue and Saïda, Morocco, and will conclude the championship with the Sainte-Maxime leg, from October 14 to 20.
Why did you choose these atypical career paths?
Having new spots to compete in is a great signal. Rather than a repeat of previous seasons, it's exciting for everyone involved.
In the case of the Route des Terres Neuvas, this was a process that took two years to complete. Historically, the first sailors were fishermen who came back with their holds full of cod. I can't wait to create this route, which is a nod to the profession.
For the Med Max, Kito approached us last year. He listened to our constraints and intelligently developed his project.
What differences will there be between the crews of inshore and offshore races?
There will be 5 sailors on the Grands Prix, plus several guests. We'll be increasing to 3 crew on the transatlantic and transmed races, plus a mediaman to ensure good communications coverage.
The circuit has attracted new skippers. What's the line-up for 2024?
4 new skippers join us. They are Laurent Bourgués on Mon Bonnet Rose, Francesca Clapcich on Upwind by MerConcept, Baptiste Hulin on Viabilis Océans and Matthieu Perraut on Inter Invest.
They will join the skippers who have been touring the circuit for several years, namely :
Luke Berry, Christopher Pratt, Sébastien Rogues, Fabrice Cahierc, Erwan Le Roux, and myself!
The class has set itself a numerus clausus of 10 boats. Is this number likely to change?
For the time being, we've set ourselves this gauge, with a certain amount of freedom. We've had new projects, from different horizons. We turned down 4-5 projects that didn't fit into the framework we had set ourselves.
But we have granted a wild card for the construction of a new boat. It will be skippered by Basile Bourgnon and Emmanuel Le Roch, and will carry the Edenred colors.
What are the gauge changes this year?
From the outset, the Ocean Fifty class has taken steps to limit costs and exploding budgets. This year, we have decided to extend the life of the mainsails to 3 years. Headsails must last a minimum of two seasons.
The modification of high chocks is authorized on foil shafts. A new version of the one-design rake adjustment system has been proposed for the new season.
