On the eve of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, the focus is no longer on the unknown but on concentration. Having participated for the first time in 2022, Kéni Piperol, a Guadeloupean sailor forged by the trade winds from a young age, is preparing to once again face the Atlantic solo. Between rigorous physical and mental preparation at the Orlabay training center and the desire to fully exploit the potential of his boat, the skipper exudes a newfound serenity. But behind the sporting demands lies a visceral commitment: at the helm of Drépavoile, he sets sail to raise awareness for the fight against sickle cell disease. An interview with a sailor for whom pushing his limits now takes on its full meaning.
I discovered sailing at the age of 10, back home in Guadeloupe. Like many young people on the island, I grew up by the water and very quickly spent most of my time on a Hobie Cat 16. It was truly the boat that shaped me: a fast, unforgiving vessel that forces you to sail by feel. But the real turning point came after I finished high school. I realized that my desire wasn't to sail around buoys, but to head out to sea, to sail for several days at a time, and to push my own limits.
To live up to this ambition, my pre-race preparation leaves nothing to chance. It covers every aspect, and that's intentional. First, there's physical preparation, because on a solo transatlantic crossing, the body bears the brunt of sleep deprivation, humidity, and the demands of the maneuvers. Then comes the mental dimension, which is at least as crucial: you have to learn to manage fatigue, solitude, and those moments when nothing goes according to plan. Finally, the most important thing is practice. I'm doing back-to-back sailing courses with the Orlabay training center because it's on the water that you truly learn about your boat. Nothing replaces the miles you put in to become one with your vessel.
Today, just a few weeks before the big departure, I feel ready and, above all, impatient. There's always a curious mix of feelings at this stage: genuine excitement mingled with a very cold concentration, because I know what awaits me. The major difference compared to my 2022 participation is that I'm no longer going into the unknown. Knowing what a difficult night in the middle of the Atlantic entails removes a lot of my apprehension.
From the 2022 edition, I have an unforgettable memory of the finish. I was the first to be surprised by the fervor and the crowd that was there to welcome us; it was an incredible celebration! This year, I arrive with solid reference points, which changes my entire approach to the start and allows me to focus on my priority: the boat, the route, and performance.
But if I'm at the starting line, it's not just for the sporting challenge. This project finds its true meaning in a fundamental cause: the fight against sickle cell disease. It's a disease that particularly affects us as people from the French West Indies, and it remains far too little known. That's why my boat is called Drépavoile ( Sickle Cell Sail). The tremendous visibility offered by offshore racing, and especially the Route du Rhum, is a valuable tool for spreading this important public message to as many people as possible.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my immense gratitude. Thank you, very sincerely, to those who follow me, to those who support me, and to all those who have believed in this project from day one.