Meet Lucie Quéruel and Arnaud Machado

They have experience in ocean racing, working for IMOCA teams, at Freelance.com (Lucie) and Lazare (Arnaud). After meeting during the Route du Rhum, they decided to join forces to "have fun above all" and live their own adventure. With the idea of hanging on in the pack and why not aim for a good place of honor. A determined and cheerful interview. 

• Why participate in the Transat Paprec?

Lucie : "We want to have fun above all! To race a double-handed transatlantic race is a dream in itself. I have already had the opportunity to cross the Atlantic but it was not in a race and I have been aspiring to do it for a long time. The opportunity came when I met 'Nono' (Arnaud). It's a transatlantic race, it's double-handed, there was everything for me to like it!"

Arnaud: "I had the chance to do the Mini and to participate in races in Mini 6.50. This challenge also attracted me, I wanted to experience a double-handed transatlantic race and this is the right opportunity!" 

• The story of your team ?

Lucie: "We were both working on IMOCA boats during the Route du Rhum, 'Nono' with Tanguy Le Turquais (Lazare) and me with Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com). We exchanged at the start and at the finish. After a surfing session, we talked about our projects and 'Nono' told me he wanted to do something in a Figaro. I was motivated to participate in the Paprec Transat. After we both did the return delivery of the IMOCA boats, we started sailing together in mid-January and it was a good match on the water!"

Arnaud: "I want to gain experience in the Figaro so that I can participate in a Solitaire du Figaro. It was logical to start with double-handed racing before taking part in a solo race. The fact that we are both préparateurs helps us to have a good level of technical expertise on the boat. And on the water, we are very complementary."

• How important is the mix for you?

Lucie: "For me, it doesn't change much... I'm still more used to sailing with guys than with girls!" 

Arnaud: "I think it's good news. If it can help women to make their place in ocean racing, it would be great!"

• How do you plan your daily life on board?

Lucie: "At the end of the Laura Vergne Trophy, we have already settled in well. I think we've managed to project ourselves, especially in terms of comfort. We've seen that life on board is easily organized, with the rhythm of the watches. We'll have to see how things go during the race, but I'm not worried! In the end, double-handed sailing is very similar to single-handed sailing: we pass each other and if you trust each other, there's no problem."

Arnaud: "We know it's a very small space to live in for about 20 days. Afterwards, one of us will always be in charge of the boat while the other one rests. This allows us to have some privacy before taking our watch."