Press release ·
La Boulangère Mini Transat 2023: “Jacques Delcroix sails like he works: he is brilliant”
2 victories in the Pornichet Select, 2 podiums in the Mini en Mai, 2nd in the Sables Les Açores Les Sables… Jacques Delcroix, skipper of the Mini Actual, has been racking up podiums and victories since launching on the Mini circuit last year.
“Jacques sails like he works: he is brilliant. He is among the very best,”analyses Yves Le Blevec. This young engineer, who works within Team Actual, will set sail this Sunday in La Boulangère Mini Transat 2023: his very first solo transatlantic race, which he approaches with joy, humility, and a desire to perform. The ideal mix.
Spring 2022: Jacques bought his 2009 Etienne Bertrand design and entered the Pornichet Select, his very first race on the circuit and first solo race—and won! Since then, he has accumulated victories, podiums, and top 5 finishes.
He has all the qualities to be a top-performing sailor
“Jacques has an excellent capacity for analysis and knows how to provide the right responses to the situations he encounters. This is true on land in his job as an engineer, as well as at sea during his races. He doesn't have the best boat in the fleet, but his results are no coincidence. He has all the qualities to be a top-performing sailor and has prepared his transat extremely well.”
Yves Le Blevec
Director of Team Actual
Impossible for me to hold back
Beneath his blonde curls and smile, Jacques hides a fiercely competitive mindset… perhaps despite himself?
“My goal is to perform and have fun, otherwise I wouldn't do it. I'll do everything I can to secure a great position. I have no choice—once I'm in it, I get caught up in the game. I can only give it my absolute all. Holding back is impossible for me, I just can't do it.”
Jacques Delcroix
Engineer and Skipper of Mini Actual
From one adventure to another
Just a few days ago, Jacques was right in the middle of preparations for another challenge: the one Anthony Marchand, skipper of Actual Ultim 3, is preparing to take on—the Arkea Ultim Challenge.
“I've been seconded from Team Actual since September 8. It was super intense preparing for the Transat Jacques Vabre and the round-the-world race. It still is for them… For me, the intensity has taken on a new face.”
Jacques Delcroix
Engineer and Skipper of Mini Actual
Seconded, but supported by the entire Team Actual
The whole Team Actual will be closely following Jacques' race, as well as Willy Muller's (also a member of Team Actual, competing in this Mini Transat on a production boat). It promises to be a great celebration on September 24 off the coast of Les Sables d’Olonne for the start of La Boulangère Mini Transat 2023. It will be an emotional moment full of wonderful memories for Yves Le Blevec, who 22 years ago embarked on this very same adventure, already with a large clover on his sail. Meanwhile, Jacques, Willy, and all the solo sailors in this fabulous “Mini” are preparing to write a new page in its history.
“The day before sailing to Les Sables d’Olonne, I realized my winches were seized up: Yves helped me dismantle everything and get them working again. It was really nice and very welcome. I try to do a lot on my own, but the whole team never hesitates to lend a hand. They're behind me, fully supportive: it's truly precious to be backed like this and to know they'll be closely following my race. It's also a responsibility to show that at Team Actual we're capable of great things. It puts a little pressure on…”
Jacques Delcroix
Engineer and Skipper of Mini Actual
The start: stress or excitement? Both!
“Even more than usual, there will be stress leaving the pontoon, mixed with the excitement of the adventure, surrounded by loved ones and friends... But once at sea, that should clear away.”
Jacques Delcroix
Engineer and Skipper of Mini Actual
The competition?
“I feel like everyone is pretty much at the same level—a pretty darn high level, for that matter. Everyone has experience, they are all good sailors and well prepared for this major event.”
Jacques Delcroix
Engineer and Skipper of Mini Actual
Staying focused, whatever the ranking
“A transatlantic race is a very unique challenge. It involves many days at sea, with an element of luck: you have to make very definitive decisions right at the start without knowing what the weather will be like at the end. Anything can happen in this race. You have to manage to stay focused, whatever your position in the fleet.”
Jacques Delcroix
Engineer and Skipper of Mini Actual
A sporting objective?
“Reaching the podium would be incredible! I'll do my best and we'll see where it leads us.”
Jacques Delcroix
Engineer and Skipper of Mini Actual
A more personal objective? Soaking up pure happiness
“I haven't thought about it too much… We'll see what I discover about myself. I'm sensitive to the beauty of nature and the environment we sail in. I'm easily filled with wonder. I'll let myself be surprised and draw strength from it: you don't often get the chance to spend two weeks alone on a boat with no communication. It's a privilege. I'm going to try to anchor these moments of happiness deep inside me so I can remember them whenever I need strength.”
Jacques Delcroix
Engineer and Skipper of Mini Actual
About Actual
Today, as the 5th largest player in the labor and employment market in France, Actual group is a French group with a resolutely humanistic vision, advocating every day to facilitate the right to work for everyone. Organized around 4 core business areas—temporary work, recruitment, career support, and training—the group is the No. 1 provider of inclusive temporary employment in France. Led by Samuel Tual, a committed entrepreneur, Actual group has developed genuine expertise in supporting individuals toward employment across France, as well as in Spain, Portugal, and Switzerland, through employment solutions and skills development. The group also offers a comprehensive range of HR solutions to support companies in finding or building the skills they need. Thanks to its 4,000 employees and over 600 agencies across the territory, Actual group currently supports 33,000 companies and 156,000 job candidates, generating a turnover of €1.5 billion in 2024. Its ambition is to build the work of men and women together, everywhere in France.
Contacts, information and practical links
Michaël Draï
Actual group press office
Tel:06 60 41 86 78
Email:drai@uneidee.com
Guillaume Neron Bancel
Actual group Communications
Email:Guillaume.neronbancel@groupeactual.eu