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Between a committed sailor and an ultra-traileur who's new to sailing, there's an obvious chemistry. With just a few hours to go before the start of the Transat Café l'Or 2025, Conrad Colman and Mathieu Blanchard, aboard MSIG Europe, candidly and humorously share their preparations, their habits on board and their vision of the sea.
Two worlds, one boat
There are those who have always lived at sea, and those who venture out to learn. Mathieu Blanchard, a trail runner accustomed to rough terrain, discovers here the adrenalin of long crossings, supervised by an experienced skipper: Conrad Colman, known for his environmental commitments and fossil fuel-free crossings.
"Sporty, crazy crazy" says Colman of his team-mate. As for Blanchard, he makes no secret of his admiration: " Much too good at sailing, much too bad at trail running!"
A boat without fuel, but not without emotion
MSIG Europe doesn't go for technological excess. The Imoca is one of the oldest boats in the fleet, but it embarks on an ambitious project: to cross without fuel, propelled solely by natural elements. Energy is supplied by solar panels, and the convictions are on board, engraved in the very structure of the project.
For Colman, this energy autonomy is a source of pride. " We are pushed by the wind and loaded by the sun" he says with disarming simplicity.
Rituals, talismans and fatigue attacks
Every sailor has his or her own little rituals. For Mathieu, it's a meal with loved ones before the start. For Conrad, it's a mental visualization, calm and centered, when the line is crossed. On board, one carries a fetish pig, the other his wedding ring hung with the house keys.
And when the mood strikes? It could be a handful of M&Ms or a death metal song. Or both at the same time, depending on the weather.
Childhood dreams and dream ports of call
As a child, Colman used to dream in front of Peter Blake's images. Blanchard, for his part, cites Commandant Cousteau. Both share a strong relationship with nature and a certain thirst for elsewhere. Dream stopover? The Polynesian atolls for Mathieu. Slow sailing with his family, for Conrad.
A message for earthlings
The interview ends on a note of humility. Both skippers insist on working together, the importance of the technical team and community spirit. " Without them, we can't do anything, they repeat in unison.
