Armel Tripon, back with a competitive, responsible and solidarity-driven project
THESE SKIPPERS AIMING FOR VG2028 - Part 4 of 5.
While we know that we can eat yoghurt that is a few days past its use-by date, we are less aware that we can build a boat out of carbon fibre that is past its expiry date! Yet this is exactly what Armel Tripon, skipper of Les Ptits Doudous, an association of healthcare professionals working to improve the well-being of children in the operating theatre, has demonstrated with his IMOCA boat made from recycled carbon, which was launched last year. After competing in his first Vendée Globe in 2020, the skipper was keen to return with a competitive, responsible and solidarity-driven project. Meet this committed sailor, whose cuddly toys ("Doudous" in French) are firmly anchored to his heart.
Vendée Globe :
Why is your boat called Les P’tits Doudous?
Les P’tits Doudous is an association of healthcare professionals committed to the well-being of children undergoing surgery. It was founded in Rennes in 2011 by nurse Nolwenn Febvre, who is now the association’s president.
Their idea was to make the surgical process more playful in order to eliminate stress and premedication, transforming this moment into a life experience rather than a traumatic one. Today, 85% of premedication has been eliminated. We know that a child who falls asleep without stress wakes up without stress, and that anxiety in the hospital can leave lasting marks on a child's development.
This approach has profoundly changed patient care and the way caregivers experience their work, with greater serenity. Parents are also in better conditions. It's a virtuous circle.
Vendée Globe :
What difference does it make to you to represent this cause?
It's a way of giving back what I've received, of contributing to the society we want to build, of spreading a message of kindness so we can live together more harmoniously.
This cause touched me immediately, especially because my youngest son has been affected by it. It's a source of strength to know that I have a whole community of healthcare workers supporting me, even though they have very demanding jobs. During Covid, we applauded them a lot, and for me, this boat is a way of continuing to show our appreciation for these professions, for these healthcare workers who fight every day to save lives.
There are parallels with what we experience at sea, in terms of commitment and intensity. But it also puts the life of a sailor, which can sometimes be self-centred, into perspective. Knowing that women and men are giving so much of themselves in the field pushes us to surpass ourselves, to go further.
Vendée Globe :
Let's talk about your boat. How did you come up with the idea of using aeronautical waste to build it?
After the 2020 Vendée Globe, I wanted to compete in the race again, but with a different approach. I wondered if we could build more sustainably.
While searching for solutions, I met people who had a supply of pre-impregnated carbon fibre from the aerospace industry that was destined to be thrown away because it was past its expiry date. This expiry date is a bit like yoghurt: it exists, but the material remains of good quality. So we thought about how to give new life to this waste that was going to be thrown away.
In the end, 65% of the boat was designed using carbon from this aeronautical waste. And as that didn't seem enough to us, we extended our thinking to other materials. We discovered that the titanium used for certain fittings was exactly the same as medical-grade titanium, TA6V. After numerous tests and a great deal of effort, we succeeded in creating a medical-grade titanium ingot to manufacture the first parts. The aim is to develop a genuine circular economy sector, beyond this single project.
Vendée Globe :
Can we say that it is working today?
The boat has been validated. It has crossed the Atlantic twice: during the Transat Café L'Or, departing from Le Havre in challenging conditions, and then on the return journey. This allowed us to confirm that reusing this material does not alter the boat's structure in any way.
We have taken some major steps forward, but we need to keep sailing. It is only over time that technical choices can be fully confirmed.
Vendée Globe :
What does the Vendée Globe represent for you?
For a long time, the Vendée Globe represented something inaccessible. It was a huge, distant dream, almost out of reach. I tried to compete for the first time in 2016, but didn't manage it.
In 2020, when I set sail, I felt like I was living a dream. Just being at the start line was hugely satisfying. I loved this race. It is an exceptional experience for a sailor, one that leaves a lasting impression. Due to its duration, intensity and commitment, this race helped me grow and transformed me forever.
But in terms of sport, something was missing: technical issues, a project that was put together late, little training time (Covid year, editor's note). My problems prevented me from really competing with the others. It was more of a chase than a real confrontation.
Today, for 2028, the ambition is clear: to build a successful sporting project, with a competitive boat, time to do things right, set off with peace of mind and have the means to compete at the front of the fleet. It's a new quest.
Vendée Globe :
How do you prepare for a round-the-world race over four years?
Today, the project is still under construction. The first step is to secure solid funding so that we can fully develop the sporting aspect.
Next, there are the preparatory races, both solo and crewed. We are also working on developing the boat, improving it once it has been made completely reliable. For my part, I need to get to know it inside out so that we can form a truly effective partnership!
