Interview with Anne-Claire Le Berre: PASSION as a common thread
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Having competed in Olympic sailing, match racing, the Figaro, the Mini Transat, and the Class40, Anne-Claire Le Berre is preparing to take a new step: setting sail in the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe in an Ocean Fifty. At the helm of a trimaran as demanding as it is exhilarating, the sailor approaches this solo challenge with the same guiding principle she's had since the beginning: a passion for competition, a thirst for victory, and a desire to push her limits even further. In a class where women remain a rarity, her commitment also carries symbolic weight, without ever overshadowing the essential element: sporting performance.
TRAIL AND DISCOVERY OF THE OCEAN FIFTY
Having come from Olympic sailing, then Match Racing, Figaro, Mini, Class40, you are now in Ocean Fifty. When you look at this journey, what common thread do you see?
Anne-Claire: The common thread is obviously passion. Passion for sailing, but also for competition, for sport. I've always approached it with a focus on performance, with the desire to win. I've never approached these projects from an adventure perspective. That's important because it sets the projects apart.
The common thread is always the wind that propels a boat. Beyond that, all the vessels are different, and that's also what makes up my knowledge of the sea and boats.
At what point did you realize that multihull sailing was for you?
Anne-Claire: Initially, not at all. I had, however, done some multihull sailing in competition, notably in Formula 16 and then Formula 18, and I found it incredible. I thought to myself: "Ultimately, only doing dinghies means missing out on something!"
But offshore racing multihulls seemed completely out of reach. The opportunity arose at MerConcept and, when they offered me this project, I immediately thought it would be fantastic.
In fact, when people ask me which boat I'd like to sail on, I always say I love all boats. What interests me is the competition and the sailing. And this boat is fantastic. It's the discovery of a world I didn't have access to before, and it's incredibly exhilarating. I'm still learning every day.
Which is better: a monohull offshore or a multihull coastal?
Anne-Claire: The advantage of the Ocean Fifty is that we do both. We do one-hour regattas, very tactical, very strategic, close to the Olympic sailing I come from, and we are also capable of crossing the Atlantic.
That's what I find incredible about this circuit: you can do crewed races, solo races, double-handed races, short races, long races. This mix makes the discipline unique.
THE RUM ROUTE - DESTINATION GUADELOUPE
What does the Route du Rhum represent for you today?
Anne-Claire: It's the culmination of a dream.
When I finished the Mini-Transat in Guadeloupe, I told myself that one day I would come back here via the Route du Rhum to sail around Guadeloupe. It's also thanks to the Mini that I discovered a real passion for solo racing.
It wasn't a childhood dream. My childhood dream was the Olympic Games. In the end, I didn't go, but I'm going to take part in the Route du Rhum. Perhaps it's a form of revenge for my sporting career.
I've already experienced two Route du Rhum starts as technical director. Being a skipper at the start this time is a very powerful experience. The solo start will inevitably be a stressful moment, as it's a very demanding race. That's the aspect I'm mainly working on right now.
You might be the only woman in a trimaran at the start. Do you see that as a source of pride or as an anomaly?
Anne-Claire: I am very proud to show that a woman can be at the starting line of a multihull race. That's precisely why I wanted to join a project that promotes values of inclusion and diversity.
I realize now that I'm going to become a role model for some young women. It's something you don't necessarily realize when you're involved in the project. For me, being a woman and sailing is completely normal. I don't see any difference. But if it can inspire young girls to take the plunge, then that's fantastic.
THE LONELY MAN
What is the biggest difference between sailing with a crew and sailing solo?
Anne-Claire: The unique thing about multihull sailing is that you're never completely alone. There's always a team on land, especially on the Route du Rhum with routing. So we always operate within a collective framework.
Technically, it's obviously more difficult because we're handling everything ourselves. But we've been gradually reducing crew sizes for several years now: to five, then four, then three, then two. Ultimately, it's just another step.
Have you ever been scared on these boats?
Anne-Claire: No, not really. We have experienced tense situations, but never critical ones.
When the situation becomes complicated, we immediately take action. Adrenaline takes over and there's no longer any real room for fear.
Do you focus particularly on recovery and sleep?
Anne-Claire: Yes, very much so.
We have begun working with sleep specialists to better understand how my body functions. We have already taken measurements on land and will continue these analyses.
We also worked on the onboard lighting, the wake-up systems, and the sleeping area. A custom-made mattress was even designed specifically for the boat.
Comfort is essential for proper recovery.
THE BOAT
What modifications were made to the boat for the solo race?
Anne-Claire: The adaptation work began two years ago.
When we acquired this boat, it wasn't the most efficient or ergonomic. So we worked extensively to improve the ergonomics, reduce friction, add the necessary equipment, and make the boat easier to use, both with a crew and single-handed.
We then developed a removable cap, and subsequently worked specifically on the watch seat and a mattress in partnership with Bultex, adapted to my body shape.
Today, I think the boat is perfectly designed for crewed, double-handed and single-handed sailing.
What still impresses you about these trimarans?
Anne-Claire: The overwhelming power of boats.
If you don't anticipate properly, you can quickly find yourself in tricky situations. We're constantly pushing the limits, but on these boats, when you cross them, you're upside down. That's also what makes them so captivating.
APPROACHING DEPARTURE
With less than 150 days until departure, what is your state of mind?
Anne-Claire: I'm impatient.
After some races, I still felt apprehensive about sailing solo. Today, I'm really starting to feel comfortable. My qualification outside of races and my sailing sessions with experienced sailors like Yann Elies and Christopher Pratt have taught me a lot and given me confidence.
I am happy to be going sailing alone on this boat.
What do you hope to discover about yourself during this journey?
Anne-Claire: I don't know. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fun to leave.
Every race brings something new. The Route du Rhum will be yet another challenge. I hope to push my limits once again.
because I think I'm going to discover limits that I've never encountered before.
