The year 2023 has been rich in emotions in the field of sailing. Our selection of more or less appreciated highlights…
FAVORITES
Armel Le Cléac’h, deliverance in Ultim
He had to wait longer than necessary. After having won a lot in monohull (Solitaire du Figaro 2003, 2010, 2020, Vendée Globe 2016, etc.), Armel Le Cléac’h was cursed in Ultim trimaran (Route du rhum 2014 failed following an injury following an uncontrolled slide in the center car wash, dislocation of his boat after capsizing in the 2018 edition of the same transatlantic…). And a radical change of direction this fall. With Sébastien Josse, Le Cléac’h became the Jackal again to win his first major multihull race, in the Transat Jacques Vabre. A triumph in Fort-de-France which freed his neurons and established him as one of the two great favorites of the new solo round-the-world race which will start on January 7 from Brest with six giant trimarans and ruffles. A success in the form of a trigger, which also does good for Team Banque Populaire, marked by the Clarisse Crémer affair (read below), and happy to follow up with a second major success after Corentin Horeau’s victory at the start September on the Solitaire du Figaro.
Thomas Ruyant, the double of confirmation
Winner in 2021 in the Imoca monohull category, Thomas Ruyant doubled the stakes by winning the 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre with Morgan Lagravière. Between his two double-handed successes, he dominated the 2022 Route du rhum solo, thus confirming his current success at the helm of his monohull For People a few months before the start of the Vendée Globe solo, of which he will be the big favorite. Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa), second in Fort-de-France and winner of the transatlantic return, demonstrated that he should be counted on. Sam Goodchild, third on Thomas Ruyant’s former boat, and working hand in hand with the Northerner in preparing for the world tour, will also be a serious customer on November 10. But this Transat Jacques Vabre, of very high level in the Imoca category, confirmed that the fight will be particularly hot, and interesting, next winter around the globe.
Lauriane Nolot, from the world to the Olympics in kite
The general public knows it less, if at all. And yet it was she who was elected Sailor of the Year, last December 8, under the noses and (above all) under the beards of the stars of ocean racing. A totally deserved recognition for Lauriane Nolot, rewarding an exceptional year spent on her board and under her kitesurf sail. World champion, gold medalist at the Test Event in Marseille and winner of the Kitefoil World Cup, the young Varoise outclassed her rivals. “ 2023 was the result of a lot of work, a lot of stress, a lot of questioning over the competitions which followed one another. I managed to overcome all of this. The greatest distinction is to tell myself that I am proud of what I have managed to accomplish. I can tell myself that I did a great job, that’s cool », she commented, after receiving her trophy at the Olympia. A cup is good, but it’s an Olympic gold medal that she dreams of now. With relish. Heading towards Paris 2024, the ultimate grail…
CLAW STRIKES
Kevin Escoffier, the shipwreck
He lost everything. His sponsor, his boat and his credibility. Kevin Escoffier, shipwrecked in the last Vendée Globe and saved by Jean Le Cam off the coast of South Africa, drowned last May during an evening in a bar in Newport during a stopover on the crewed world tour that he competed aboard the monohull Holcim – PRB. A woman on his team claimed to have been sexually assaulted. And in the process, several other women in the sailing world spoke of touching, questionable behavior or sending sexts on his part. As a result, on October 20, on the basis of testimonies, the French sailing federation imposed a sanction of 18 months of suspension from all competition on Escoffier, who affirmed through his lawyer that he wanted to appeal, while a legal investigation is underway. A very sad shipwreck.
Cheat on Solitaire du Figaro Paprec
The news broke a few minutes before the final awards ceremony, in Piriac-sur-mer. And the least we can say is that it was a surprise. The winner of the last stage of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec 2023, Benoît Tuduri, was disqualified for downloading weather files during the event, which is strictly prohibited by the regulations. “ I made a serious mistake, I cheated (…) I don’t know what came over me… I put pressure on myself to achieve results (…) I draw all the consequences from this mistake, (…) I am deeply sorry “, he explained in a press release. Excluded from the race, he finally left victory in the rookie category to Victor Le Pape (Bretagne Region – CMB Espoir). Another sailor, Pierre Daniellot, was also disqualified from the last two stages of the race for similar facts made public thanks to extensive monitoring by the organizers. Notice to amateurs…
Clarisse Crémer ousted after maternity
The affair logically caused a real media uproar, and damaged the image of the Banque Populaire. Twelfth in the last Vendée Globe and becoming a mother in December 2022, Clarisse Crémer was disembarked last February by her sponsor who feared that she would not be able to qualify for the 2024-2025 edition. An unfortunate decision which triggered a public outcry, with many sportswomen (Clarisse Agbégnénou, Mélina Robert-Michon, Camille Lecointre) and the Minister of Sports (Amélie Oudéa-Castéra) providing their support to the sailor. Who didn’t take long to bounce back by signing with a new partner (L’Occitane) and recovering an old Alex Thomson boat. To calm things down and the controversy, the Banque Populaire decided to abstain and stay at the dock for this 10th edition of the world tour.
