The French sailor, Charles Caudrelier is currently racing in the Volvo Ocean Race aboard Groupama 4, but looking ahead to 2016 is aiming to compete in the Vendée Globe. The experience gained during the crewed race around the world will be extremely useful, when it comes to racing solo around the world. Charles Caudrelier’s project involves showing that environmental respect is compatible with the highest standard of racing.
After successes in the Solitaire du Figaro and the Transat Jacques Vabre, Charles Caudrelier has taken part in major sailing projects, where his technical skills are appreciated, and will surely prove to be of great benefit in the Vendée Globe. “My training as an officer in the Merchant Navy is proving useful, particularly when dealing with the electrics, electronics or mechanics. As a reserve navigator on Groupama 4, I am in charge of performance, which means getting all the data together that is measured on board, so they can be analysed and worked on allowing us to improve the performance of the boat.”
A green goal as he looks forward to 2016
Charles Caudrelier’s campaign for the 2016 Vendée Globe will begin as soon as the Volvo Ocean Race finishes in July 2012. He will be looking for partners, as well as working on the project using Life cycle assessment techniques, a decision-making tool, which is the basis of an ISO standard. The goal is to analyse the environmental impact of a product, service or process, in order to reduce the drain on our resources and protect the environment throughout the life of a project.
So there will be two races in one for Charles: one aiming to race for victory and the other to show respect for the environment. This is what makes Charles Caudrelier’s project so special: showing that today it is possible to go for environmental protection, while at the same time giving yourself the highest racing goals.
