In one corner, you have Michel Desjoyeaux, who has four circumnavigations under his belt, including two wins in the Vendée Globe. In the other, François Gabart, one of the up and coming stars of ocean racing, who recently announced his intention of taking part in the next edition of the solo round the world race. Together they form a couple combining complementary skills and will be watched closely in the Barcelona World Race, which begins this Friday 31st December from the Catalan capital. We met up with the Professor and his young co-skipper.
Michel, why did you choose François Gabart as your co-skipper for the Barcelona World Race?
- Michel Desjoyeaux : When you are sailing double-handed, the human factor is vital. It just so happens that François has an outlook, which corresponds to mine. I’ve been watching him closely now for two years in Port-la-Forêt. It wasn’t a surprise to see how well he did in the Figaro circuit this year (Editor’s note: François Gabart finished in second place in the Solitaire du Figaro, won the Cap Istanbul and took the title of 2010 French Ocean racing Champion).
François, you could hardly turn down this chance of taking part in your first round the world race with Michel Desjoyeaux…
- François Gabart : Exactly. That’s why I made myself known as soon as I found out he was going to be taking part in the Barcelona World Race. I’ve been dreaming of doing my first round the world race and to get the opportunity to do it on a brand new boat with Michel is quite exceptional.
What do you think you can contribute?
- F.G. : He already knows how to sail around the world alone, and is capable of doing it quickly. But Michel is someone, who always wants to learn and make progress. We don’t necessarily have the same way of doing things, so in all modesty I do believe I can offer him some new ways to tackle certain things.
Michel, the Barcelona World Race will be your final IMOCA race, before you switch to the MOD 70 circuit. Did you really want to go off and discover some new horizons?
- M.D : I’ve always taken steps forward by changing from one type of boat to another. Figaro, Whitbread, multihulls, monohulls, small and big boats: I think I’m lucky to be able to widen my range of activities in this way through these different experiences. For many people, these boats may seem very different, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s still sailing and each time, you have to give it your all. The Barcelona World Race will be my final race on this boat, but not necessarily my final IMOCA race. I haven’t rule out returning to the circuit, as I’m simply moving off to do something else for a while.
Is there any hope of seeing you lining up for the start of a Vendée Globe?
- M.D : Not in 2012. After that, I don’t know. I’m focusing for the moment on these latest projects. But I haven’t slammed the door behind me.
François, you’ll be taking part in the Vendée Globe aboard a new boat, a sistership to Foncia. So you’ll be able to train sailing double-handed on a boat that will be the model for yours. It’s a situation that everyone would dream of…
- F.G : There’s no better way to prepare. Being lucky enough to carry out my first round the world voyage alongside Michel Desjoyeaux before tackling it alone for my second voyage is an ideal situation. On top of that it’s going to be on a brand new boat. The Barcelona World Race will be teaching me a lot and adding to the experience I have acquired over the past few months in the Figaro circuit. A perfect deck of cards, if you like, to be able to continue to make progress.
Why did you decide to go for a brand new boat?
- F.G : Like all the other contenders in the Vendée Globe, I faced two possible options: I could build a new boat or buy a second-hand one. I asked Michel if he could support me if I built a new boat. He accepted and the project interested the Macif Group. So we all agreed that this was the right choice.
Michel, your team will be taking care of the technical aspects of this project…
- M.D : Yes, as it offers us an opportunity to continue to do what we are able to do and indeed enjoy doing. It’s also an opportunity for the Macif Group to become involved in a big project. I have always enjoyed passing on my knowledge and sharing it with others and that’s not about to change today.
What are your first impressions of the new Foncia?
- M.D. : In the Route du Rhum, I was in the lead at 4 in the morning on the day after the start. After that, I wasn’t in a position to do battle with the leaders in the fleet and the difference was down more to the men on board rather than to the boats themselves. But there is no reason why Foncia, which is one of the newest boats, should perform less well than the others. The designers have told us that she should sail faster and we’ll see what happens in the Barcelona World Race.
François, you’re only really just discovering this new boat…
- F.G : It’s not easy for me, as you’re right that I haven’t sailed much on Foncia. I’m just about to set off around the world, which is quite a challenge. From a race perspective, we could have had more preparation and another month to get to know the boat would not have gone amiss. But that is not going to stop us from achieving a great performance. We have a lot going for us and we’ll be trying to make the most of our assets.
