Sebastien Desquesses will be participating in his first Route du Rhum and will be championing the values of Algo®. In this interview, discover this exceptional skipper who will share this unique and emotional adventure with you starting November 4th with Algo®!
Sébastien , to begin, can you introduce yourself?
I am from Saint-Malo, I will be 47 years old on the day of departure (I was born on November 4th). I am married and father of 2 children.
I worked in banking for 10 years, then devoted myself to my children and my passion: sailing. Our family traveled extensively thanks to my wife's profession; in every country we lived in, I joined sailing crews.
How long have you been sailing?
I've been sailing since I was 7 years old. My father was a sailing instructor at a club in St Malo on weekends. I did a lot of windsurfing in the 90s, then I started racing with a crew in 1997.
How do you manage to balance sailing, your private life and your professional life?
In winter we sail little, we maintain, we overhaul, and we improve the boat. We look for sponsors for the upcoming races. We are more available for our family. Our life as sailors begins at the end of March, beginning of April, when we put the boat back in the water. We alternate between training phases and races.
What excites you about this sport?
Our racing boats are highly technical, constantly innovating (hull shapes, sails, electronics). It's a demanding sport, both physically and mentally. I love the adrenaline rush of competition and the team spirit around a project like the Route du Rhum; our partnership is a good example.
How are you preparing to participate in this race?
You have to be in good physical shape. I exercise daily and train myself to sleep in 20-minute intervals. I do weather analysis and try to develop a reliable boat.
Do you have any particular expectations for this race?
The most important thing is to arrive in Pointe à Pitre and have fun without breaking the boat or the skipper.
Have you set a goal for yourself?
I would like to take about twenty days to cross the Atlantic, the holy grail would be to make a podium in the vintage class of the class40 .
What is your state of mind before starting a race with a rich history like the Route du Rhum ?
I'm going to fulfill a childhood dream, there will be a lot of emotion on the day of departure.
What is your best memory at sea?
Many, usually sunrises and sunsets are highlights.
Do you have anything to add?
I thank Algo Paint® for its support , I am very proud to wear your colors in this magnificent race that is the Route du Rhum. Delighted to have found a partner with whom I share the same human and environmental values.
See you on November 4th for the start of the 11th edition of the Route du Rhum !
