Frenchman Louis Robein from Lyon is the 24th entry in the Global Solo Challenge

by Global Solo Challenge 24 Jun 2021 04:42 PDT

Louis Robein from Lyon, France © Global Solo Challenge

After completing eight Solitaires du Figaro and a solo crossing of the Atlantic, Lyon-born Louis Robein is very motivated to move on to the next stage, a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation. The Global Solo Challenge provides him with the context for this new challenge.

Louis is the 24th entry in the Global Solo Challenge and there are many other skippers who are seriously interested in participating, the organization expects the number of entries to grow further in the coming months.

Interview

Where does your passion for sailing come from?

Originally from the Moselle, I was far from the sea and had the opportunity to take a dinghy sailing course when I was 17. I restarted the following years and in 1972 I started cruising courses, then every long weekend and I got carried away with the passion for sailing.

Longer and longer cruises and local races, then an Atlantic crossings and finally solo races.

What lessons have you learnt from sailing?

You have to be humble with nature because it will always be stronger than you.

This is the best way to go the distance. It is for this reason that I have called my boats "Le Souffle de la Mer", mixing wind nature, water nature.

What brought you to like single-handed sailing?

During a crewed Atlantic crossing, I told myself that I could take the next step: sailing single-handed. So I took part in La Solitaire du Figaro to take advantage of the safety of the race and to get advice from other skippers. Following this great experience, I persevered in the following years, improving with each edition and then crossing the Atlantic single-handed.

What prompted you to sign up for this event?

When I saw that it was a relatively affordable regatta and that the boat I have had for 10 years is would be allowed, I became interested in the event. Taking on a new challenge after doing 8 Solitaire du Figaro and crossing the Atlantic solo motivates me a lot to take the next step: a singe-handed circumnavigation knowing that it will be a very beautiful adventure.

How do you plan to prepare for this event?

I made small adjustments on the boat to navigate alone after several crossings in Corsica with novice crews to be able to manage the safety on my own.

In 10 years I have sailed a lot (Corsica, Malta, Balearics,...) to get to know my boat well. Last year I did some solo sailing. This year I aim to complete the organisation of the boat in view of a crewed Atlantic crossing. Then the return single-handed. On my return I will finish the work to prepare the boat for the GSC and will sail to get used to all the new equipment that I will have installed.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge will be to finish the race favouring safety.

Tell us about your boat or the boat you would like to have

I currently have an X37 that I have been improving for 10 years to be as autonomous as possible and to be able to navigate single-handed. I intend to have the rigging done again by professionals and checked by them before departure. She is a very sturdy boat and I completely trust her for this challenge.

Do you intend to link this personal challenge with a social message?

Yes of course. I already sail with the visually impaired.