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A tandem at sea: trail meets ocean racing
Sailing together is never a trivial matter. Even less so when one of you wears sneakers more often than overalls. Mathieu Blanchard, a rising star in the ultra-trail scene, is embarking on his first transatlantic crossing. On the other side of the cockpit, Conrad Colman is no novice. The first sailor to complete a Vendée Globe without using fossil fuels, he is continuing his quest for responsible sailing: "I love this idea of exchange. I pass on my knowledge as a navigator, and in return I discover the world of trail riding with Mathieu. It's a complete adventure, both human and sporting" explains Conrad Colman.
Objectif Martinique: a mutual sporting challenge
The duo have set themselves a clear finish line: Fort-de-France. For Blanchard, the aim is to reach the starting line of a local foot race without taking a plane, on December 7, 2025. For Colman, the challenge is to pass on his knowledge while discovering the other side of endurance racing. The boat MSIG Europe, an IMOCA centerboarder, serves as a link between them. Far from aiming for absolute podium finishes, they intend to make their mark in their category with rigor and humility. "I'm familiar with the long effort, the resistance to cold, doubt and fatigue. But here, I'm discovering a new element. It's an adventure that takes me totally out of my comfort zone, and that's exactly why I'm living it." confides Mathieu Blanchard.
A fossil fuel-free sailboat: sobriety and experience
Conrad Colman remains true to his credo: to sail without diesel, in energy autonomy. MSIG Europe therefore embarks solar panels and hydrogenerators to power navigation, instruments and life on board. A technical and ethical choice, already tried and tested in the 2016-2017 Vendée Globe. Blanchard, accustomed to traveling light, fits into this logic of onboard frugality.
Complementarity on board: experience sharing and transmission
The project is based on constant exchange. Blanchard brings his in-depth knowledge of long-distance effort, mental health and discomfort management. Colman shares his ocean experience, his routines and his reading of the weather. This reciprocity will continue on land: once the sail is folded, Colman will swap his foulies for runnings to accompany Blanchard on the Martinique trails. A concrete way of pushing the duo's logic to the limit.
A symbolic adventure in a hotly contested transatlantic race
Every year, the Transat Café L'Or, with its arrival in Martinique, attracts established skippers, ambitious amateurs and a few singular projects. Colman and Blanchard's project stands out for its dual objective: performance with no concessions on environmental impact, and the opening up of one discipline to another. It's a reminder that the ocean remains a meeting place, even when it's a question of linking the mountains to the open sea.
