The incredible success of diversity

Two years after introducing the principle of gender diversity among all competitors, the Transat Paprec continues to attract attention. While there were eleven pairs on the starting line, there will be eighteen for this edition. Above all, a number of female skippers have taken on projects, while others have seized the opportunity to gain experience at the highest level. Here's an explanation.

Two years ago, the decision to transform the Transat Paprec into a 100% mixed race was a surprise. Nevertheless, eleven pairs were formed and put on a spectacular show right up to the finish. Two years later, the number of participants has grown to 18, demonstrating the success of this new formula. Paprec CEO Sébastien Petithuguenin reflects on the genesis of this decision: " By resuming the race, we have helped establish mixed races, a first in ocean racing. It's not just a question of equality; it helps enrich the competition and breathe new life into it ."

“A great opportunity to open the doors to ocean racing”

At the end of this first fully mixed edition, several of the participating sailors have established themselves at the highest level, as evidenced by the performances of Violette Dorange, Anne-Claire Le Berre, and Charlotte Yven. The defending champion is therefore putting her title back on the line. Like her, seven women are leading projects in this Transat Paprec. This is the case for Laure Gallay (DMG-Mori) and Lola Billy (Bretagne-CMB Océane), who are among the candidates for a place of honor. Other contenders include Anaëlle Pattusch (Humains en action), Cindy Brin (Cap Saint-Barth), Ellie Driver (Women's Engineering Society), and Maggie Adamson (Solan Ocean Racing).

The female sailors competing in the Transat Paprec alone demonstrate the diversity of ocean racing. Audrey Ogereau has honed her skills in the Ocean Fifty, Mathilde Guéron in Olympic sailing, Pauline Courtois was part of the French Women's Cup crew, Tiphaine Rideau learned the ropes in light sailing... "The Transat Paprec initiative is a great opportunity to open the doors of ocean racing to more women and to allow them to sail at a very high level ," Samantha Davies, a key sailor on the IMOCA circuit, recently explained. "In double-handed sailing, you have to share everything: you do watches alone, you participate in the strategy, you analyze the weather... It's a way of trusting them, of reaching out to them in order to progress more quickly ."

Aglaé Ribon (Almond) agrees: "It 's a good thing that everyone is in a mixed crew. It will allow us to see different ways of sailing and to bring as much as possible between pairs ." The presence on the starting line of Cindy Brin, the first sailor from Saint-Barthélemy to participate, is explained in particular by this openness to diversity. The Italian Ripa di Meana, a member of the Initiatives Cœur technical team, is associated with Arno Biston. In a press conference, she also explained that she " started sailing again thanks to diversity ." A virtuous circle, strongly encouraged by the Transat Paprec, which intends to continue for the long term.