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Fabrice Amedeo and Andreas Baden form the crew of the FDJ United-Wewise monohull entered in the Transat Cagé l'Or 2025. We met them on the quayside, before setting sail, for an interview free of technical jargon but rich in humanity. Between humor, lucidity and transmission, the two sailors reveal another facet of their duo.
A tandem forged in respect and humour
They don't have quite the same background, nor the same mother tongue. And yet, it's a match made in heaven. Fabrice speaks of Andreas with warmth and humor. He admires his patience, gentleness and ability to look after him at sea. Andreas, for his part, recognizes Fabrice as a mentor, an experienced and caring sailor. Their complicity is obvious.
Fetish objects and bridge secrets
A seashell in the pocket of your foulies, cans of cod liver in reserve and a playlist designed to cope with the squalls. Aboard FDJ United-Wewise, everyone embarks with their own little totems. Fabrice, marked by his shipwreck during a previous edition, now sails with memories that bring luck and reassurance.
The boat, the technology and what's still missing
Just because an Imoca has foils doesn't mean it's perfect. On their daggerboard IMOCA, Andreas regrets the absence of some practical equipment. Fabrice, on the other hand, is banking heavily on onboard environmental data collection. CO2, microplastics, marine DNA: the boat is equipped with a mini scientific station to better understand the oceans it crosses.
Simple pleasures and suspended moments
Sunset over the Doldrums, sunrise over Guadeloupe... Fabrice recounts these suspended moments with touching sincerity. Moments of eternity that he places at the top of his list of achievements, well beyond the rankings. Andreas, more discreet, talks about the little daily pleasures on board, between a well-done maneuver and a good piece of music.
Ecology, transmission and values
The FDJ United-Wewise project is not just a sporting adventure. It's also a commitment. On-board sensors, scientific data collection, education: for Fabrice and Andreas, the race is also a lever for raising awareness. For Fabrice and Andreas, the race is also a lever for raising awareness.
