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They're off to cross the Atlantic aboard a Class40. But before they set sail for Martinique, Aïna Bauza Roig and Axelle Pillain take a moment to tell a different story. A quick, frank interview, full of intimate details of their daily lives as sailors. This 100% female duo, supported by the Cap pour Elles program and ENGIE, is one of the pairs taking part in the Transat Café L'Or 2025. We met them in Le Havre, just before the start.
Two profiles, one course
Aïna Bauza, a thirtysomething from Mallorca, has swapped Olympic lightweight sailing for the open sea and the long tacks of the Mini 6.50. She even set a record between Cadiz and the Bahamas. Alongside her, Axelle Pillain, an engineer and seasoned skipper on the Mini circuit, has five years' experience in Imoca racing. Two complementary technical backgrounds, working on the same boat and with the same ambition: to reach the other side, together.
Small faults and great qualities on board
There's no small talk between them. Aïna praises Axelle's flawless organization and energy, even if cargo ships make her nervous. Axelle, for her part, praises her teammate's technical experience, but teases her aversion to balance sheets. On the water, each knows what she's worth and what she brings to the other. And that's what makes a good tandem.
Minimal ritual, maximum mascot
No superstitious ritual before departure, but a very special mascot on board: a little rhinoceros, a nod to the name of the Grand Rino boat. The detail makes you smile, but it's a real symbol. A totem inherited from a previous Mini campaign, and a link with those who inspired them.
To each his own fuel for hard times
When the mood takes a turn for the worse, Aïna pulls out her secret weapon: two Nutella pancakes, one for her, one for Axelle. When the going gets tough, I've got the real Aïna", jokes Axelle. The simple pleasure of a sweet dish becomes a well-rehearsed strategy for staying on course in the fight.
Stopovers, memories and ambitions
The two skippers also share their maritime memories. For Aïna, it all began at the age of five on a mod rope with her father. Axelle is still having a blast on her RS800, a nervous skiff that's a cross between sport and pleasure. One is aiming for a sustainable route, the other dreams of the G-VERT. Their ambitions are solid, built step by step.
And what about ecology?
No grand speeches, but a deep-rooted awareness. The project is part of a sustainable logic, with a committed, technical and benevolent entourage. "We're really well surrounded," says Aïna. And that comes across as a promise to do things right, all the way to the other side.
