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Damien, you've just come back from the Transatâeuros¯Caféâeuros¯L'Or. How do you make the transition from racing to starting up a newâeuros¯ program so quickly?
It's a bit crazy, but I like to keep things moving. I arrived in Martinique, spent 24âeuros¯hours resting, then headed for PortâeurosSaintâeurosLouis to take possession of the boat. The timing is tight, but I want everything to be in place for the shipyard, so that we can leave quickly for Brittany. We're leaving little time for reflection, because our objective is clear.
So let's talkâeurosen, this boat... the former Fujicolorâeuros¯II. Why this choiceâeuros¯?
This boat had a history. With Loïckâeuros¯Peyron, she was the talk of the ORMA class. I snapped her up because the opportunity presented itself, and because I wanted a powerful trimaran that was a little outside the usual circuit. I would clearly have preferred to race in the Oceanâeuros¯Fifty class, but with the numerus clausus of this class, no boat was available. So we switched to this ex-eurosORMA. Now we have to modernize it, while preserving its DNA.
What changes are plannedâeuros¯?
We'll be installing a new autopilot and a new set of sails. The mast will probably be shortened. The cockpit is very open, typical of the 90s, which gives it a real character. We'll probably move the coffee grinder column, which only operates the mainsail traveller winch. The budget we have allocated is around 1.2 million euros. We already have a title partner, and we're still looking for the rest via sponsorship for the cause I'm defending.
The ORMA class disappeared because the boats were becoming too dangerous single-handed. How can we improve safety?
Advances in electronics, in particular the reactivation of autopilots, will make all the difference. The new set of sails will also be designed differently than in the 90s, with less surface area but greater efficiency.
How is the team structured?
We're putting together a technical team with Franckâeuros¯Proffit, who knows this boat very well and will be joining the team in the coming weeks. The work will be carried out at Ãoleâeuros¯Performance, in Portâeuros¯Bourgeney, where the Dutreux brothers have agreed to take charge of the renovation.
Who will you be racing against in this very special category of vintageâeuros¯ multihulls?
It's a class that's becoming fascinating, with a real revival of interest. We're talking about a small fleet, but some very fine names and, above all, some legendary boats. There will be Flo, ex-Pierre 1, for example er led by Erik Loizeau. Francis Joyon should also be present with his own trimaran, which is a sistership of my boat. Gilles Lamiré is also getting ready on the ex-Elf Aquitaine 3, launched in 1988 for Jean Maurel. And perhaps we'll see Sensation Océan (ex-Foncia) or even the ex-Groupamaâeuros¯1, currently being refitted in Marseille.
What do you see as the main theme of this project?
For me, this boat embodies two things: history and modernity. It's a question of restoring a legendary trimaran to its former glory, while adapting it to a serious campaign, centered on the Routeâeuros¯duâeuros¯Rhum. I want to show that you can be competitive, intelligent, and even if it's not a state-of-the-art model, that preparation, teamwork and vision go a long way. And of course, there's the solidarity dimension, which remains essential.
For me, sailing can be a vector of values, of surpassing oneself. Our sponsorship of the disabled is in line with this vision.
