The language of sailors is universal. Louis Duc and Masa Suzuki were pleased to see this during their first sail together last week. "Masa is a very good sailor; we look at each other and we already know what the other wants. A small gesture is enough: we understand each other immediately."
The two skippers of the Imoca Fives Group – Lantana Environnement, competing in the Transat Café L’or Le Havre Normandie, also discovered they had many things in common: commitment, performance, humor, and humility. These are strong values that they will be happy to share in this transitional race, a race of transmission, which closes the Vendée Globe campaign of the Norman skipper and opens that of the Japanese skipper.
Louis Duc and Masa Suzuki completed their qualifying round for the Transat Café l'Or last week. It was their first time sailing together, a first in an IMOCA for Masa. And, even though they don't speak the same language, everything went perfectly well: Louis is an excellent teacher, and Masa had worked on this discovery at home in Japan, using photos of the deck plan of the IMOCA Fives Group – Lantana Environnement...
Sailors' language: it works!
Louis Duc: "It's a pleasure to sail with Masa. He learns quickly! Especially since he had started studying and understanding the logic of the boat from photos of the Imoca's deck plan, long before arriving in France and coming aboard. He worked on it himself, he spent time on it. So much so that I had the impression he already knew the boat!
He's motivated, he listens, he watches everything we do, and he quickly integrates. He's very humble even though he has a lot of experience: it shows in his demeanor and when we're maneuvering. There's no need to talk; we look at each other and we already know what the other wants; a small gesture is enough: we understand each other immediately. I really like this fluidity, especially when we don't speak the same language!
These are international gestures. Masa has sailed a lot solo and with a reduced crew, he has all these codes and reflexes. He's a sailor. He's comfortable on the boat."
Masa Suzuki: “We communicate well. My French is still very basic; I only know a few words, but we use English and also the “sailor’s language,” and it works! On the water, what matters more is confidence and clarity of action than perfect words. I’m also trying to improve my French to integrate more into the community.”
Indispensable conviviality
Technical fluidity and confidence will therefore be essential on board the Imoca Fives Group – Lantana Environnement on this Route du Café, as will kindness and humor, essential for both Louis and Masa.
Louis Duc: “Masa is very friendly, he has a sense of humor, everyone likes him, he’s really nice.”
Masa Suzuki: “Sailing with Louis was a great experience. He knows the IMOCA so well that I learned a lot during the four days we spent together at sea. At the same time, I found our sailing rhythms were quite similar, which put me at ease and gave me confidence. I really appreciated his support and open-mindedness.”
Thank you all!
Experience, trust, respect. The technical and human foundations of this duo are thus laid. Everything is in place to share a memorable moment with all the partners who have chosen
to support Louis during this post-Vendée Globe season.
Louis Duc: "I would like to thank our partners for their commitment and trust. This Transat Café L'Or was not originally planned. They agreed to commit to our side again after the Vendée Globe, despite a complex economic climate.
We will do our utmost to write, with them, a successful conclusion to this 2024 Vendée Globe campaign. Thank you again for their loyalty, their trust, and their commitment."
The Japanese subsidiaries of the Fives Group will also be following this Transat Café l’Or Le Havre Normandie with particular attention!
A respectuous and circular sporting event
The Fives IMOCA is an "upcycled" boat. Thanks to Louis, it lives a 2nd life!
Louis and his team gave a new life to a very damaged IMOCA because of a fire. This refurbishment undertaking was a real technical challenge... that succeeded in only 10 months!
Louis and his team continue to apply this upcycling principle and optimization research with a constant effort on sobriety throughout this Vendée Globe program.
Louis is also very keen on respecting everyone's work and giving a chance.
The Fives Group, a major partner in this Vendée Globe program, has been seduced by such commitment and values, as it shares the same values and responsibilities.
Fives, your partner for a more virtuous industry
For over 200 years, the Group has designed the breakthrough solutions and technologies that make industry what it is. From the first railways to the Eiffel Tower, through the spatial conquest, Fives always spearheaded the industry of the future. Pioneering decarbonization, the Group is an unconditional partner of the industry's energy transition. Through digitization, the promotion of a circular economy and the development of new processes and new energy sources, Fives puts its technological leadership to its customers' service.
www.fivesgroup.com