Olivier Defranc's goal was to achieve the feat of crossing the Atlantic on a windsurfer and reaching Kourou, his native land At arm's length ". Beyond the sporting challenge it represents, this crossing was a powerful tribute to sailing pioneer Christian Marty, and a personal quest marked by years of preparation. Here's a look back at an extraordinary adventure that combines homage, self-transcendence and an unshakeable determination to accomplish the unthinkable.
A mature project inspired by Christian Marty
In 1982, Christian Marty, airline pilot and passionate windsurfer, defied all convention when he set out to cross the Atlantic on a windsurfer. Setting out from Dakar, he reached the coast of French Guiana after 37 days at sea, becoming the first person to accomplish this feat. At the time, this adventure of some 2,279 nautical miles represented both a technical and human feat. Marty sailed on a rudimentary board, without permanent assistance, relying on his instinct and endurance in the face of the ocean's vagaries. His feat sparked a wave of vocations among water sports enthusiasts. Olivier Defranc, a teenager at the time, was one of the many young people fascinated by this crossing; he had the opportunity to accompany Christian Marty for the last 12 kilometers, an experience that was to have a profound influence on his passion for windsurfing.
Inspired by Christian Marty, Olivier Defranc has nurtured the dream of following in his footsteps for over 40 years. Despite an aborted attempt in the 1990s due to a lack of sponsors, he never gave up on his ambition. In December 2024, at the age of 55, after years of physical and mental preparation and a career marked by numerous competitions, he finally realized this project. Supported by an experienced technical team and advanced logistics, he took advantage of modern advances to optimize his sailing conditions, while honoring the spirit of the original challenge. This crossing, dedicated to the memory of Christian Marty, captain tragically lost in the Concorde accident in 2000, marks the fulfillment of a deep-rooted youthful dream.
Extreme conditions, unshakeable determination
Setting off on December 10, 2024 from N'gor beach in Dakar, Senegal, on a windsurfer specially designed for this crossing, Olivier faced sometimes violent winds and imposing waves while having to manage fatigue and isolation.
True to the minimalist approach of his predecessor, he ate and slept on his board, equipped with a stabilizer bladder and a basic awning. His days were punctuated by intense sailing, trajectory adjustments and rigorous management of his physical and mental resources.
Unlike Christian Marty, Olivier had a follower boat, a 12-meter catamaran, for safety reasons. This crew was only supposed to intervene in the event of a critical situation, and to provide him with his metériel for the night.
A new record and a heartfelt tribute
On January 5, 2025, after covering 2,290 miles in 26 days and 8 hours, Olivier finally arrived on the shores of Kourou in French Guiana, not without great emotion. In doing so, he beat the reference time set by Christian Marty. In a video showing his arrival, he talks about the islands he will cross (Saint-Joseph, Île royale and Île du Diable) before finally setting foot on the mainland. He had decided to pass between the latter two, as he had promised himself he would. This moment, for which he had been waiting for 40 years, was for him an accomplishment of a beauty hard to believe: a poignant tribute to Christian Marty, the man who had left his mark on the history of sailing.
