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The transition from a 49er FX to an offshore racing yacht is not simply a matter of getting on a bigger boat. For Maïlys Radulic-Ferrat, the change involves the duration of the race, night sailing, maneuvers, sleep management, and the ability to maintain speed as fatigue sets in. Christopher Pratt is already familiar with this world. In Marseille, from September 23 to October 2, 2026, the two sailors will have to turn this difference in experience into a strength as they face off against 18 other crews.
From the 49er FX to the Sun Fast 30 OD: Two Ways to Propel a Sailboat
At 22, Maïlys Radulic-Ferrat brings a background in Olympic sailing. The French sailor competes in the 49er FX class and notably finished 5th at the 2025 U23 World Championship. She began learning to sail the Sun Fast 30 OD in the spring of 2026 during the Massilia Inshore Cup.
The change in boat type is significant. In Olympic dinghies, speed work, adjustments, and maneuvers all take place in short, highly physical bursts. An offshore race adds another dimension: you have to maintain that precision for hours on end, while also navigating, eating, resting, and staying alert.
The new duo's first matchup did, however, offer some clues. Christopher and Maïlys won all four races of the 2026 Massilia Inshore Cup.
Christopher Pratt, for his part, brings experience gained primarily on the Figaro and IMOCA circuits. At 45, the Marseille native is taking on a role that goes beyond that of a mere experienced crew member. Part of the job involves passing on skills that are difficult to acquire without logging many miles.
When there are two of you, the division of roles becomes a matter of efficiency
A double-handed crew leaves little room for specialized crew members. Everyone must be able to steer, trim, maneuver, and monitor the boat?s progress. But a clear division of responsibilities also helps avoid wasting time and energy.
The Marseille duo has decided to stick with the setup they tested during the Massilia Inshore Cup. Maïlys mainly steers the boat and focuses on speed. Christopher takes more responsibility for strategy and maneuvers.
This organization directly capitalizes on the young sailor?s background as a regatta competitor. Nevertheless, it must function effectively when conditions deteriorate or when fatigue makes it necessary to reassign tasks.
And that's probably where a good part of the learning takes place. Sailing a boat for a few hours and maintaining the same level of focus out at sea don't exactly call for the same skills.
Nighttime Changes the Game for a Dinghy Racer
Christopher focuses his work with his crewmate in particular on endurance sailing, night navigation, and personal management. These elements may seem secondary compared to boat adjustments or tactics. In double-handed sailing, however, they directly influence speed.
Fatigue impairs tactical decision-making, maneuvering, and the ability to maintain a course. As a result, replenishing supplies and resting become performance factors just as much as a properly timed sail change.
The Sun Fast 30 OD Slows Down the Arms Race
The 2026 World Championship is contested on Sun Fast 30 One Design boats provided by the organizers. This choice fundamentally changes the preparation process. The crews do not arrive with their own sailboats, which they have spent months optimizing.
The fleet is balanced to minimize differences in equipment. Familiarity with the boat remains essential, but the ability to quickly get the hang of the assigned boat also becomes a decisive factor.
The duo needs to take advantage of every outing to develop muscle memory. In particular, a 48-hour training block and the SEMAC Trophy should help them get back into the rhythm of sailing the boat before the championship.
Marseille adds another layer of pressure to the championship
France will field two crews. Christopher Pratt and Maïlys Radulic-Ferrat will be joined by Julia Colombe and Thomas André. And André is no stranger to Marseille. Partnering with Théa Khelif, Thomas André won the 2025 Mixed Double Offshore World Championship in Cowes. France will therefore enter the 2026 edition as the defending champion.
For Chris and Maïlys, the challenge is different. Their crew is still new, and Maïlys is still getting used to the ins and outs of offshore racing. But they?ll be sailing on a body of water they know well?one where their first partnership resulted in four wins in four races.
The World Championship will bring together 19 crews from September 23 to October 2, 2026. In a one-design fleet, a few tenths of a knot, a poor watch rotation, or a delayed maneuver are enough to turn the tide of a race. For the Marseille duo, the task for the coming weeks is therefore quite clear: to combine two very different regatta experiences into a single set of operating instructions for the boat.
