Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

Paul Meilhat confirms registration for dream race

by Peter Rusch from Voiles et Voiliers interview 11 Jul 2019 08:23 PDT
Paul Meilhat - The Ocean Race 2021-22 © E. Stichelbaut / DPPI / SMA

Paul Meilhat, the French winner of the last Route du Rhum race, has confirmed his registration for The Ocean Race 2021-22.

Meilhat has made no secret of his ambition to be on the start line in Alicante when the gun fires in October 2021.

"My goal is to set up an ambitious project and win The Ocean Race 2021-22, then the Route du Rhum 2022 and the Vendée Globe 2024," Meilhat said.

"Since I was a teenager, I have dreamed of doing this race. And when I started racing the Figaro, I thought more about the "Volvo" (the previous name for The Ocean Race) than the Vendée Globe.

"What has always fascinated me about this event is the international racing and high competition aspect... You are facing the best sailors in the world who come from the Olympic sailing, the America's Cup, The Ocean Race, the Vendée Globe... It's great!"

While he works to secure his funding and begin design work for The Ocean Race, Meilhat is going to be racing with Sam Davies on Initiatives Cœur for the 2019 IMOCA season, including for next month's iconic Fastnet Race and the Transat Jacques Vabre in October.

"Sam is a formidable competitor, an exceptional sailor," Meilhat says. "And in terms of management, she is fantastic. I learn every day at her side. It's impressive to see a project based around more than just sport."

And this concept of performance and purpose will be a guide for his campaign in The Ocean Race too.

"My absolute quest is performance whilst giving purpose to something that is an essential cause to my mind," Meilhat says.

"I want to make the most of the race to embrace this change. These values must be a driving force in our team. We want things to change and to show that we can do things differently. The Ocean Race has adapted to these new circumstances. It is 'all systems go' for it to work."

Read the full interview, including Paul's thoughts on sailors and designers for his team, in Voiles et Voiliers.

Related Articles

Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
Tschüss 2 - Transatlantic Titans
Line Honours for Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 in the Transatlantic Race 2025 Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA), owned by Christian Zugel and co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has taken Line Honours in the West to East Transatlantic Race 2025 in an elapsed time of 07 Day 15 Hrs 29 Mins and 10 Secs. Posted on 26 Jun
Tschüss 2 powers ahead in Transatlantic Race
Her nearest rival, some 300 miles astern, is Oliver Kobale's VO65 Sisi Six days into the West-East Transatlantic Race, Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 Tschüss 2, co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has raced over 2,000 miles and is the clear leader for both Monohull Line Honours and the overall IRC win. Posted on 23 Jun
The Ocean Race will return to Itajaí, Brazil
During the 2027 and 2031 around the world races The Ocean Race confirms Itajaí, in Santa Catarina state, in Brazil will once again host the world's most iconic around-the-world yacht race in April, 2027 and again in 2031, in a two-edition hosting partnership. Posted on 16 Jun
Pip Hare joins Canada Ocean Racing
Sailing alongside Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer for The Ocean Race Europe Canada Ocean Racing is excited to announce that British offshore sailor Pip Hare will join their Be Water Positive campaign for the 2025 edition of The Ocean Race Europe. Posted on 30 Apr
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy returns
With the introduction of the high-performance TP52 class The prestigious Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy is set to return for its sixth edition from July 4-6, 2025, promising a thrilling weekend of top-tier sailing in one of Europe's most scenic and challenging maritime locations, Cascais. Posted on 24 Mar
The Ocean Race Europe to make stop in Nice, France
Visiting the Mediterranean coast of France for the first time this summer The Ocean Race Europe, the premiere fully-crewed, offshore sailing race for the foiling IMOCA Class, will visit the Mediterranean coast of France for the first time this summer. Posted on 13 Mar
The Ocean Race Europe will race into Portsmouth
Back in the game for the IMOCA race in the summer of 2025 The Ocean Race Europe, an offshore sailing race for the foiling IMOCA class, will include Portsmouth on the south coast of England, among its six stopovers. Posted on 16 Sep 2024
Volvo Cars and The Ocean Race extend partnership
With a joint mission on ocean health Volvo Cars and The Ocean Race both share the strong commitment to a more sustainable future and to contribute and deliver actual change where it's needed, including in the restoration and preservation of natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Posted on 28 Aug 2024
Franck Cammas awarded 2024 Magnus Olsson Prize
French 'sailor of the decade' is recognised for his spirit and impact on the sport Franck Cammas, the incredible French sailing champion, has earned another important accolade as he is named the winner of the 2024 Magnus (Mange) Olsson Prize. Posted on 9 Aug 2024
Zhik 2024 DecemberMaritimo M75Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY BOTTOM