THE BIG INTERVIEW. He's one of the top favorites in this year's race. Yet, all observers seem to forget his extraordinary precocity: at 29, he's about to compete in his first Route du Rhum and he has everything he needs to win. Winner of the Transat Café L'Or, SVR-Lazartigue has been further optimized. A sharp mind, Tom has a very clear idea of what needs to be done to raise his arms in victory again, this time in Pointe-à-Pitre.
He's been sailing aboard SVR-Lazartigue for four years now, and it seems like a natural progression. So, it is possible to be under 30, at the helm of one of the most competitive boats in the fleet, and to enter the Route du Rhum as one of the top favorites. Yet, Tom Laperche has long since dismissed questions about his age or precocity. Four years after winning the Solitaire du Figaro, and one year after his victory in the Transat Café L'Or, he knows that everything is falling into place for him to be at the forefront. Victory? He speaks of it as the ultimate goal but prefers to focus on the journey ahead. A few days before the opening of the race village, he answered our questions at length.
What are your links, your history with the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe?
I was born in 1997, so I have some early memories of the 2002 edition. There were quite a few breakdowns and mishaps; I remember hearing about it on television and radio. What's surprising is that I very quickly wanted to do the Route du Rhum. As a child, I wanted to compete in it in an Optimist. It was a childish idea, naturally carefree: it took Laurent Bourgnon, a family friend, to tell me it wasn't possible… In any case, it was really the Route du Rhum that made me want to race. Seeing multihulls at full speed on the Atlantic has always fascinated me!
You also went there to support your father…
Yes, he competed in the 2010 edition as an amateur aboard a 50-foot trimaran. He was a dentist, and he took the time to take on this challenge. It was a great family endeavor: we helped him prepare the boat, ensure it was stocked, and maintain the hull. And it was the first time I visited the Route du Rhum village.
"We are working towards victory."
Does mixing professional skippers with knowledgeable amateurs add an extra dimension to the race?
Yes, it's incredibly positive. That's why the Route du Rhum brings people together. It unites amateurs who set off to pursue a lifelong dream, like my father did, and skippers on board very complex projects, as is the case for me today. For these reasons, it's a very open event with no limits!
This is your first time participating. Is this a milestone, a step in your progress, or do you not see it as such?
I'm very happy to be part of it, but ultimately, I'm even happier and more grateful for the trust placed in me by a partner and a team to compete in the premier multihull class. The rest are questions I was asking myself, especially when I took the helm of this magnificent SVR-Lazartigue trimaran. Now, I'm focused every day on making sure we do better and that we collectively move in the best direction.
Is your stated goal victory?
Of course we're all working towards victory; that's the whole team's goal. But we can't think about that alone: victory is just the icing on the cake. There are plenty of intermediate objectives to achieve before and during the race. We have to do everything we can to feel comfortable and make the right racing line choices. And if we get into a mindset where everything flows smoothly, if we make the right decisions, it can lead to victory.
"In Ultim, you always have to be on your toes."
So, what have you optimized since your victory in the Transat Café L'Or?
We've reworked the platform's aerodynamics, installed new sails, a new foil, and slightly deeper rudders. The idea is to fly as high as possible to minimize interaction with the waves. However, generally speaking, the higher you are, the more unstable you become, and that's what our new rudders address. Furthermore, we've significantly improved the reliability of our systems: it's a substantial amount of behind-the-scenes work, but it's invaluable for the race.
Your new starboard foil was damaged and replaced with the old one a few weeks ago. What difference will that make? It doesn't really have an impact. It shows that we're capable of replacing one appendage with another. These first foils were very successful: we won the Rolex Fastnet Race…
More generally, how do you explain that the Route du Rhum is such a difficult race? Because it's a sprint, and on these boats, to be fast, you always have to be on the edge. It generates a lot of adrenaline and tension, and self-management is crucial because it's very difficult to rest at full speed. The physical exertion is significant, and mentally, it's intense. You always have to be on your toes, ready to react, and it's very demanding. Sailing on these boats completely drains you!
"There's going to be intensity."
What's your take on the competition? With Armel Le Cléac'h (Maxi Banque Populaire XI), Thomas Coville (Sodebo), and Anthony Marchand (Actual Ultim 3), the field is very evenly matched. It's going to be very intense, the gaps could be very small, it'll be pure racing. What do you think of the new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild? It's a bit of an unknown quantity since we haven't had a head-to-head with them. It's a new concept in terms of foiling, foils, and offshore sailing. It's a new stage, a new generation, but for now, we haven't seen it in all its sailing phases. We don't yet know the full potential they'll be able to use the boat to, even though the team and Charles are very talented. But I'm more focused on what we're going to do with the team! Finally, when do you enjoy yourself on board? As soon as we're sailing, we experience extraordinary moments. Sure, you're walking a tightrope, but it gives you incredibly intense sensations. There's the thrill of gliding, the adrenaline rush… It's a great source of motivation and it's really something I come looking for every time I go sailing.