Meet Alicia de Pfyffer and Édouard Golbery

Alicia and Édouard are "rookies" as they are about to compete in their first transatlantic race in a Figaro. Self-taught sailors, they are nevertheless used to setting up projects (Édouard) and sailing the oceans aboard large yachts (Alicia). There is still a lot to discover, a lot to prepare, but they are enthusiastic and convinced that their good star will allow them to arrive in Saint-Barthélemy with a lot of memories.

• Why participate in the Transat Paprec?

Édouard: "I started my ocean racing experience in 2012 and I had the opportunity to do two solo transatlantic races. I wanted to set up an IMOCA project for the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe but I had to stop because of financing problems. I have been fighting for years to be able to set up ocean racing projects. The fact of participating in this transatlantic race is part of a dream. It's very intense and very pleasant as soon as you feel that it's working, as soon as you feel that it's moving forward. I can't wait to take the start!" 

Alicia: "I've been working on tall ships for eight years and I've wanted to do ocean racing for a while. Originally, I wanted to set up a Mini 6.50 project and then Edouard told me about this Figaro project. I thought it was a great opportunity to learn throughout the season. This transatlantic race is an opportunity to discover and gain experience." 

• The story of your pairing?

Alicia: "In Mallorca, while working on yachts, we started sailing together. We rented a J80, small boats, and we could see that we were a good match. I'm really happy to team up with him. We get along well, we learn a lot, it's really great! »

Edouard: "I have a lot of respect for Alicia who is used to working on yachts of more than 50 meters. She is someone who works hard, who gives a lot of commitment, who is very rigorous in her approach and who is quick to trust. When I learned that the race was mixed, it was logical to offer him this adventure. Of course, it's a gamble, because she's new to the Figaro, but it's going to be a great experience for her and for me!" 

• How important is gender to you?

Alicia: "I grew up with my two brothers doing kitesurfing, surfing, paragliding... These are activities that are still very masculine. However, I never felt excluded, even if I don't know if it's the case for all women. The Transat Paprec rule is really interesting because it opens up ocean racing to women."  

Édouard: "I think it's a great initiative. Ocean racing is a very masculine environment and despite that, there have been extraordinary women profiles that have emerged over the years. It is necessary that this is imposed so that it will not be in the future. On board, gender diversity is essential because our approaches, our physical commitment, our way of conducting projects are different. I've done a lot of theater, an environment where there is this mix, this mix and it's very healthy. We need it!"

• How did you plan your daily life on board?

Alicia: "It's not an apprehension as such. I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time at sea, more than 35,000 nautical miles, I have already crossed the Atlantic six times and I love it! Of course, it will be on a smaller boat. But that's an advantage: everything is just much closer and it's very pleasant!" 

Édouard: "I'm not apprehensive about the open sea, the crossing, or the daily life on board. On the other hand, there is inevitably a little apprehension about our lack of preparation and our lack of experience. We are just discovering the support, the boat and we are launching into a transatlantic race. We're going to try to do our best to be up to scratch!"