About The skipper
FRA
Nationality
Lives: St Dolay, Brittany, France
Miles sailed: 50.000+
Group: TBA
Status: Full Entry
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
Autonomy to move on water. I have always liked the contact with water. Water is an element with which has made me bloom. Originally from Ivory Coast, I was very early attracted by the sea. I did my first sailing courses when I was 16 and I haven’t stopped sailing since. I built my first sailboat at the age of 23 (10 m long), launched 18 months later to finally be able to devote myself to my passion.
What lessons have you learnt from sailing?
Sailing has taught me to be independent, to be able to confront the elements, and the pleasure of moving without assistance and playing with the wind.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
A first solo experience led me to a 53-day navigation from Abidjan to Brittany to bring my sailboat back. I had a lot of fun there, a great experience, which I want to repeat.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
For many years, I have wanted to race around the world. First of all the 1st Vendée Globe but without having the means and the time to do so. Then the idea was still present until today.
When I discovered your race, I thought it was time: the right moment and the boat.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
Being an active sportsman by nature (swimming, cycling, running: long-distance races), I have a good physical condition.
I plan to make long solo navigations in different weather conditions to properly prepare my boat. I have already sailed 20,000 miles with my boat.
I plant to prepare the boat for single-handed racing conditions.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
First, to be on the starting line. Then to be confronted with the South Seas which remain for me and the boat the big unknown.
Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have.
It’s an epoxy wood ULDB designed by Patrick Balta (reserved for him…) that I built.
Its dimensions: 12 mx 3.16 m with 3m draft.
It handles very well with and I have fun sailing in following winds, easy to maneuve
Sailing experience
50.000 miles sailed of which 20.000 solo on my boat YAKO
About The Boat
Sail Number: FRA 43054
Boat design: Enfant perdu (Patrick Balta)
Year built: 2014
Group: TBA
LOA: 39ft
Upwind sail area: 90m2
Downwind sail area: 150m2
Displacement: 4.000kgs