Amélie Grassi is one of the sailors taking part in the final selection phase of the UpWind by MerConcept project, aimed at building a 100% female crew on the Ocean Fifty UpWind skippered by Francesca Clapcich. She answers our questions about the project and her participation.
You already have a personal project in Class40, why should you apply for the UpWind by MerConcept project?
I really like multihulls. I did a lot when I was young on small catamarans. It's not that easy to find opportunities to get on board. I've been lucky enough to do it on the Ultim Actual in several races. It's extremely stimulating. I'd been looking for several months and had applied to several Ocean Fifties when I found out about the project. So of course I applied.
I still have the Class40 project with Boulangère Bio, but that's not really a problem. Our racing programs are very complementary.
How do you see the transition to multihull sailing? Have you ever sailed an Ocean Fifty?
I did a grand prix in a Multi 50 a long time ago in Saint-Quay, but it wasn't really the same boats. They didn't have foils yet. Obviously, you have to like multihulls, which aren't necessarily safe. Personally, I'd tend to say exhilarating. Of course there's pressure, because the slightest move has consequences. It's also demanding. You have to be on your toes all the time.
What do you think of the 100% women's choice?
There's interest in all formats: solo, duo, mixed, unisex. Of course, the ideal would be mixed. But let's face it, in our sector, we're a long way from mixed. And yet, if there were 122 candidates, that means there are plenty of women who want to sail. This is a key period. Already with La Boulangère, we have this 100% female specification, with the idea of creating opportunities. I've never had to make concessions on performance. On the more crewed events, I've managed to invite women with less experience. For UpWind, the idea is the same: to encourage and create opportunities. After that, it will be more natural. Humans are comfortable in their habits. By creating habits, we'll open up positions on board to women.
What do you think of the Ocean Fifty format, with offshore and grand prix sailing?
I'm attached to the open sea. Adventure and crossing oceans remain my motivation. But the contact is stimulating. It's a great mix between the pleasure of day sailing and offshore sailing. In fact, it seems to appeal to quite a few racers.
What's the point of the international aspect of a project like UpWind?
It's interesting. We interview in English. Ocean racing is still very much a French-speaking world, even if we have in mind names that are successful outside it. This brings diversity, breaks codes and opens up new perspectives. A project like this also enables us to look for talent in countries where ocean racing is less developed. Some of the candidates have mainly sailed dinghies.
Switching to a major stable after having your own project. Isn't there a risk, as some Figaro teams say, of losing touch with the sponsor search?
Managing your own project is very stimulating. You develop lots of skills, but it's also very tiring. It's good to alternate. The experience with Biotherm on the Ocean Race, for example, was great. It leaves more space to develop other, more technical aspects. When you join a team like MerConcept, one of the best players in the field, you come across people with a lot of experience in all areas, which helps when you get back to your project.
