The biggest fans of diversity are the co-skippers, but soon it won’t even be a thing, the question will no longer be asked.

The Transat Paprec from this year is 100% mixed for the first time in its history. The twenty-two co-skippers who will be on the starting line are all fans of creating a pathway and more races to get more women into high level ocean and offshore racing. 

Historically of course the Transat Paprec has always welcomed mixed or female duos, don’t forget the victory in 2000, of Karine Fauconnier and Lionel Lemonchois. 

The class of 2023 talk:
“It’s a very good idea” says Chloé Le Bars (Région Bretagne-CMB Océane). Colombe Julia (Mon Atout Energie)  calls it “Innovative and very interesting” “It fits with these times and is totally relevant” says Arthur Hubert. “A normal development that benefits us all" says Hugo Dhallenne (Bretagne Region - CMB Océane). Gaston Morvan (Région Bretagne – CMB Performance) says: “I am convinced that this change of format will not change the competitiveness of the race”. His co-skipper Anne-Claire Le Berre, “Even if there were male-female duos and all female duos before, it was not common now this improves the balance. Now it offers more opportunities for women to do the race”.

"It's great if it can help women find a place in offshore racing," says Arnaud Machado (Helios Group). “For those who wish to get going with a Figaro project, it is still not very easy,” agrees Chloé Le Bars (Région Bretgane – CMB Océane). "But here we are, it is working never before has there been so many female sailors taking part in the Transat Paprec," adds Pauline Courtois of Mutuelle Bleue, “This Transat Paprec allows women to get on the ladder faster.” 

“And it sends out a cool, aspirational image to all the young girls and all the young boys who want to join sailing clubs.” recognizes Loïs Berrehar (MACIF Skipper). “It shows that we are into a sport that is open to all and now has a good pathway into offshore racing.” 

“I've always been more used to sailing with guys than with girls, so it doesn't change much,” says Lucie Quéruel (Helios Group) who is a preparateur for the Freelance.com IMOCA team. Alicia de Pfyffer (Race for Science - Verber) also shares her experience: “I grew up with my two brothers doing kiteboarding, surfing, paragliding, activities that are generally very masculine. Yet I have never felt excluded, even though I know that is not the case for all women.”

A rule that will stand the test of time and see fleets grow
Some, like Maël Garnier and other skippers on the Transat Paprec rail against a rule like this being imposed but most see it is an essential stage of development, a “mandatory passage” according to Charlotte Yven (Skipper MACIF).

It reflects what we see elsewhere, “This is also what we have seen in the Olympics,” recalls Colombe Julia. “In the 470 as soon as it was set as a mixed class everyone has come in and plays the game. We worked together and now the rule is just accepted”.

Veteran Corentin Horeau (Mutuelle Bleue) raced as a mixed duo on the last race with Elodie Bonafous (7th in Saint-Barthélemy). For him, “Diversity should not even be a subject. Racing with a man or a woman I am completely indifferent. What matters is our shared and complementary skills on board and the qualities of each other like I find now with Pauline Courtois”. 

Arthur Hubert concludes, "On this Transat Paprec I'm sure that this rule will be in place for a long time and soon we won’t even be asking the question".