“The environment is very welcoming and I think it is ready to welcome women,” said the navigator Justine Mettraux

The Swiss is one of the five women, among the 34 competitors still in the running, in the solo race.

While she is about to become the first skipper of the Vendée Globe to cross the finish line at the Sables d’Olonne on the night of Friday to Saturday, Justine Mettraux is the guest of Franceinfo Friday January 24. “The environment is very welcoming and I think it is ready to welcome women”estimates the Swiss navigator. “Historically, the world of boats and sailing was exclusively male. So it still takes a little time to change all of this”explains Justine Mettraux.

“In young practice, we are 42% of women. And from a little more regular, even sporty practice, falls at 25% of women. There are a lot of women who stop in adolescence. It’s a bit hard to find the levers to reverse this statistic“, Recognizes the one who prepares the Jules Verne trophy, the world tour of the crew.

“There are more and more racing organizations that will impose quotas with a compulsory woman”adds the navigator. “A woman is never upset to be called for a quota. It’s very good, we are happy to find opportunities to navigate. It boosts the CV, it feeds the experience. And then we can apply in other teams and finally find places, even when there are no quotas “defends Justine Mettraux.