Arno Biston – Vittoria Ripa di Meana: “we’re going to have a lot of fun!” »
- Antoine Grenapin
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
WORDS OF A DUO. He continues to progress: from the Mini then the Figaro for the past two years, and a first Transat Paprec is on the horizon. She is making her ocean racing debut while working daily at Initiatives Cœur alongside Samantha Davies. Together, they represent Article.1, an association that fights for equal opportunities. And together, they will do everything to give their all, have fun, and join the battle for the top spots.
Why did you decide to participate in the Transat Paprec?
Arno: I've been a Figaro sailor for two years, and a skipper for four. Before that, I did a lot of boat preparation and also as a boat captain. I chose to come to this circuit because competing on equal terms is why we sail. Having a good match, experiencing the contact in a regatta, that's what I like! I've been lucky enough to do crewed transatlantic races, the Figaro, but bringing all these elements together in a high-intensity race over such a long course, you can only do it here!
Vittoria : Arno suggested I do this race, asking me: "Are there any good reasons to say no?" And indeed, it was complicated to find excuses! So I accepted. It's a great first for me. I've never done a transatlantic race, it's going to be super interesting. I really like challenges, sport, competition. And the Transat Paprec is a good place to find all that!
"We both have a lot of energy to burn, we like to give it our all."
Is having worked in IMOCA an advantage before tackling this challenge?
Vittoria: Yes, it's a real plus because you're up against people who have already done this many times. So, as soon as you have a question or a doubt, your friends and colleagues are available to answer it. My team, Initiatives Cœur, is behind me, encouraging me, and that helps me arrive relaxed on D-Day.
You went through the Mini Arno. How was this experience beneficial?
Arno : We tend to imagine that there's only one path that can lead to the Figaro, along with the Olympics: light sailing. I tend to think there are plenty of transferable skills. The Mini gives you a taste for the open sea, the ability to prepare a boat, to prepare for a transatlantic race... And then it lets you know if you're cut out to love the open sea. Ultimately, it's just a springboard.
You wear the colors of Article1. Is it important to add a dimension beyond just sport?
Arno : Yes, absolutely. It's an association that fights for equal opportunities. This takes the form of helping young people and students find work in many different ways. In ocean racing, we can all come from different backgrounds. What matters is believing in your project, building it, and these are shared values with Article1. What the association defends is believing in yourself, in what you want to do. I was interested in carrying this message with them. How would you describe your complementarity?
Vittoria : Everyone talks about this complementarity of crew! I think I'm very calm and Arno can get very agitated. I don't know if we complement each other because we're a bit opposite (laughs)! But I think we're ready and we're going to have a lot of fun. We both have a lot of energy to burn, we like to give it our all, so it's going to go very well! Arno: In any case, we know it's going to go well for 20 days at sea!
