We don't know you very well…
I am from Rochelais, I am 44 years old. I studied Chinese. It's thanks to the Chinese that I got into sailing, with China Team of Luc Gélusseau and Pierre Mas in Valence. As I was a translator on board, I sailed with them. I was propelled through the back door into professional racing. I had to be on board because the Chinese did not speak English and did not know how to sail. At the end of this project, Erikson Racing Team called me saying that they were going to Asia for the Volvo Ocean Race and I embarked on this adventure. There, I found a world that suited me: not only was I going to go boating, I was going to travel, I was going to Asia, I was 25 years old, it was a dream. I touched a bit of everything. Then, I found myself with Groupama with Franck Cammas, in the same position, on a crewed round-the-world trip with stopovers. That’s when I created lots of connections with sailors and trainers.
Did you stay in the sailing industry after that?
Yes, I found myself at the head of a Land Rovers Extreme 40 project. I was boat captain, I sailed an Extreme 40 for a year in Cowes for OC Sport. It was all a regatta.
How did you get into race management?
Denis Horeau, then race director of the Vendée Globe, was looking for people as assistant. I did the 2010 Barcelona World Race with him: I discovered something new. Afterwards, I investigated the Vendée Globe 2012, the Barcelona 2014, the Vendée Globe 2016 November and all the races on the Imoca circuit.
What do you need to become a Vendée Globe race director?
I didn't arrive yesterday, I did the last four Vendée Globes. This is my fourth as race director. So I know this job well and I have proven myself as a race director on the Transats that I was asked to do for three years to be category A by the French sailing federation. I sail on these boats quite frequently during three-four day deliveries, to be at the peak. On the other hand, it is true that I did not go to the Deep South to do the Vendée Globe alone.
