Alexis Thomas and Pauline Courtois (Wings of the Ocean), 9th in the Transat Paprec!

They had solid credentials. Alexis, regularly in the top 10 of Figaro races, had just won the Solo Guy Cotten. Pauline Courtois, renowned for her talent in match racing, had finished on the podium two years ago (3rd). Together, they ran a high-flying race, occupying the top positions almost from start to finish. A self-sacrifice that unfortunately went unrewarded at the finish.

THEIR RACE IN FIGURES

Arrival time: Friday, May 9 at 4:04 a.m. (local time), 10:04 a.m. (metropolitan time) Race time: 18 days 21 hours, 2 minutes, 28 seconds Gap to first: 1 hour 45 minutes Gap to previous finisher: 22 minutes 39 seconds Distance covered: 4,283 miles Average speed (real): 9.5 knots

THEIR RACE DECRYPTED. Wings of the Ocean had wings!

He wanted to be part of it, to experience the intensity of a battle across the Atlantic in a Figaro. Alexis Thomas had long cultivated this dream, after four years in the Figaro, even though he had never competed in a transatlantic race. At his side, Pauline Courtois knows the ropes, having finished on the podium in the last edition alongside the experienced Corentin Horeau. " Before, I had never spent more than 48 hours at sea! " she smiles.

Both prepared with the awareness that they were among the outsiders. " We're not immune to having a very close race right to the end, so everyone has a chance ," confided Alexis, almost visionary. The duo gave it their all and were quickly rewarded. After passing Madeira, they moved onto the provisional podium and then passed La Palma in 3rd position.

The Atlantic crossing is being fought at the same pace, with Wings of the Ocean often leading a trio also comprising Skipper Macif (Charlotte Yven and Hugo Dhallenne) and Cap Saint Barth (Cindy Brin and Thomas André). " We've had some great trajectories, some great positions, we have nothing to be ashamed of ," Alexis savored in the heart of the trade winds. The two skippers trust each other on board and appreciate each other. Alexis savors and enjoys everything, even the first flying fish he sees for the first time.

At the same time, they continued to press the accelerator. Positioned north of the large soft zone, Wings of the Ocean maintained its momentum for a while before being distanced and finishing in 9th place. The disappointment was great for these two competitors, but they also knew that this was unfortunately part of the game. “It's the Figaro, that's how it is,” Alexis confided with tears in his eyes.