Quentin Vlamynck – Audrey Ogereau: “It’s going to be intense”

Last year, Quentin Vlamynck surprised everyone by deciding to leave the Ocean Fifty class, where he had established himself as a benchmark, to join the Figaro class. With dedication, hard work, and determination, he started from scratch. Last year, he made his mark by finishing 15th and 3rd rookie in the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec. For his first transatlantic race on this boat, he partnered with Audrey Ogereau, an Olympic-born skipper, helmsman at the first Women's America's Cup and now skipper of Koesio in the Ocean Fifty class. Two skippers with eclectic experience who will do everything to secure a place of honor.

This is your second year in the Figaro class. Is your experience in the class what you expected? Quentin: After several experiences in ocean racing, it wasn't easy to get started on the circuit. You don't know how to position yourself against the competition and you can't afford to make a mistake. It's intense, but it's a real challenge to get started in a one-design circuit. I think I missed the close-contact racing during my last years of ocean racing.

How do you adapt to the pace of a Figaro after experiencing the speed of an Ocean Fifty?

It's very comfortable. It leans a little more but it hits less, it makes less noise, the speeds are much less stressful, the effort in the sails too. They are very pleasant boats, very meticulous also in terms of adjustments. We can afford to be closer to the coast too and in contact with others especially. And then it's not at all the same navigation!

You support the association "Les Étoiles Filantes." Is it important to champion a cause that goes beyond sporting issues?

Yes, exactly. When we launched the project last year, it was important to find partners to succeed in having great races, but I wanted to partner with an association. "Les Étoiles filantes" allows children who have an incurable disease to come sail aboard my boat. They visit the boat and then follow my stories. It allows us to create beautiful memories with the families. I'm also in contact with some of them to send them videos or photos from the open sea. Mentally, it feels good: thanks to them, I know that I'm not allowed to raise my arms.

"We have a lot to offer and learn from each other."

After a first season in the Figaro, was the Transat Paprec an unmissable event?

Yes, I've been lucky enough to do transatlantic races on different boats, in a Mini or an Ocean50, single-handed or double-handed. On a one-design series, this will be the first. It's even scarier because we'll be leaving for about twenty days at sea. You're not allowed to rest for the first few hours because you have to stay in contact. The pressure will be there from the start to stay in the right pack and never give up. It's going to be intense and great!

It's an adventure that you'll share with Audrey, who has solid experience in ocean racing...

Yes, it's not easy to find the right double-hander. I wanted someone with good Figaro experience because, in the end, I have little. Audrey is more of a regatta specialist. She comes from Nacra, from multihulls, she's done a lot of OceanFifty: we were also competitors in the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2023. Last year, she participated in the Woman's Cup as helmsman for Team France. We have a lot to offer and learn from each other. It's going to be a give-and-take deal! And what's more, we have a good laugh on board, so it's really cool!

Do you consider yourself an outsider?

We'll try! Afterwards, there are a few pairs who stand out thanks to their experience in Figaro racing in particular. Even though I'm new to the circuit, we'll try to do well!