©Marcel Mochet
Although Michel Desjoyeaux is sailing a little less at the moment, he is no less involved in the world of ocean racing. The man with a full list of achievements (first winner of the event in 1992 with Jean le Cam, triple winner of the Solitaire du Figaro, winner of the Route du Rhum as well as the Transat CIC and the only double winner of the Vendée Globe) remains involved, particularly through his company Mer Forte.
The one that everyone calls "The Professor", never stingy with explanations on different subjects, was kind enough to share his feelings on the evolution of the Transat Paprec, now in mixed doubles; a first! "I haven't had the opportunity to do many doubles with a woman offshore, the question has never really arisen. It wouldn't have bothered me but it's done by opportunity, by affinities too, there weren't many women and even today there are too few!
So it's great to impose mixed race on a transatlantic race, it allows you to force destiny a little. The fact that the organizer of the event can plan with its title partner Paprec for 3 editions is also a chance to give itself the possibility of putting these actions in place.
More generally, it's a good idea to want to put more women on these boats. Our sport is not reserved for men, quite the contrary, it is one of the only ones where we compete together, women and men without separate rankings. For the double, it may be a little different, but in a crew, the presence of women is just as important as that of men.
I have no doubt about the ability of women to meet this challenge, because there are many who can do it, they have to dare to take the plunge!
The reputation of offshore racing precedes it, many people make a mountain out of a molehill and it is true that the level is high in this event, but it is also open to amateurs and that is the advantage of the double: you do not need to know how to do everything on board!
So there is no need to have done a Solitaire du Figaro or a Mini before starting: this Transat Paprec will already be a great springboard to go offshore.
However, for those who have these first experiences or who come from other sectors such as the Olympics, this transat remains a superb opportunity for high-level competition in offshore racing.
So, dare, ladies!
