Transat Paprec 17th edition - Beyond sport: racing with purpose
by Transat Paprec 17 Apr 12:45 HKT
20 April 2025
As the 17th edition of the Transat Paprec sets sail, many skippers are racing for more than just victory — they're racing for a cause.
From supporting children with serious illnesses (Les Étoiles Filantes, Décrochons la lune), to championing social initiatives (BANQUES ALIMENTAIRES), equal opportunities (Article1, Demain), human rights (Humains en action), women's rights (Women's Engineering Society), and ocean conservation (Pure Ocean, Wings of the Ocean), this edition shines a light on a new kind of commitment. These initiatives reflect the sailors' strong desire to give deeper meaning to their challenges, both on land and at sea.
For Quentin Vlamynck, racing alongside Audrey Ogereau, the decision was clear. After years on the Ocean Fifty circuit, he wanted his move to the Figaro class to be about more than just sport. "When we launched the project last year, of course we needed partners to compete at a high level," he explains. "But I was determined to be aligned with a cause." Quentin chose to race for Les Étoiles Filantes, an association that supports children with brainstem tumors and their families. A year into the project, he speaks about it with a smile: "Some of the families come sailing with us — we create special memories together."
"It's our responsibility to highlight such important causes"
Romain Bouillard shares a similar sense of purpose through his support of Décrochons la lune, another organization dedicated to the well-being of sick children. "We've chosen to fight a battle across the Atlantic," Romain says. "But those kids — they don't have a choice. They're fighting every single day." Like Quentin, he also organizes sailing trips for families: "It gives them a bit of adventure, a break from it all."
First-time transatlantic sailors Pier Paolo Dean and Tiphaine Rideau are racing for BANQUES ALIMENTAIRES, a French food bank network. "In the world we live in — especially during times of crisis — it's our duty to support causes like this," Pier Paolo explains, noting that some of his own family members have faced food insecurity.
"I can't wait to share my experience and help young people believe in their dreams"
Pier Paolo's values echo those of Arno Biston, who will be sailing with Vittoria Ripa Di Meana. Their project supports Article.1, an organization that promotes equal opportunity, advocating for a world where education and career success aren't dictated by socioeconomic background. On the association's website, Arno shares: "Offshore racing has taught me discipline, perseverance, and boldness — all values I see in Article.1. I can't wait to share my experience with young people and help them believe in their dreams."
Martin Le Pape, sailing with Mathilde Géron, is representing Demain, a solidarity fund promoting equal access to education and culture. "It's about giving children and young people a fair shot," he explains. Martin has also brought together a group of partners committed to supporting this cause.
Environmental concerns are also a key focus this year. Thomas de Dinechin and Aglaé Ribon are sailing under the banner of Pure Ocean, a foundation funding scientific research to protect marine biodiversity. Meanwhile, Alexis Thomas and Pauline Courtois are racing for Wings of the Ocean, a French NGO dedicated to coastal cleanup. Ellie Driver and Oliver Hill are representing the Women's Engineering Society, a British organization advocating for women's rights and workplace equality since 1919. Anaëlle Pattusch and Hugo Cardon are sailing for Humains en action, a human rights association inspired by philosopher Edgar Morin.
"Knowing they're counting on me — I can't give up"
Aligning a sailing project with a cause can also help attract corporate sponsors — a well-established model in offshore racing. Recent editions of the Vendée Globe highlighted this trend with projects like Initiatives-Cœur (Samantha Davies), Lazare (Tanguy Le Turquais), and Coup de Pouce (Manuel Cousin).
For the associations whose names now grace the sails of the Figaro Beneteau 3s, this race is a powerful communication platform. "Offshore racing needs sponsors, but it also needs projects that carry strong messages," says Pier Paolo. These collaborations create a virtuous cycle — benefiting the cause, the campaign, and the sailor alike. Especially in a fleet where every mile is hard-earned. "Racing for a cause gives meaning to the project — and gives us strength too," says Romain. Quentin agrees: "When you're alone out there and things get tough, thinking of the kids and families... it gives you that extra push. I know I can't let them down."
A Day at the Race Village
With just five days to go before the Transat Paprec starts, the race village was bustling — helped along by kinder weather than the day before. All skippers have completed their safety checks, and visitors enjoyed a full slate of activities throughout the day.
Some skippers and race staff also took part in the Fresque de la Diversité, a collaborative workshop led by facilitator Xavier Hernandez. The goal? To reflect and exchange ideas on diversity and inclusion. Participants Tiphaine Rideau and Pier Paolo Dean (BANQUES ALIMENTAIRES) welcomed the initiative. "In sailing clubs, just as many girls as boys start out. But the numbers drop off," noted Tiphaine. "It's important to use the visibility of our projects to amplify these messages," added Pier Paolo.