Press release ·
Transat Jacques Vabre – Normandie – Le Havre. An expert duo aboard Actual Ultim 3: Anthony Marchand brings Thierry Chabagny on board
Anthony Marchand will compete in his first race on Actual Ultim 3, the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie – Le Havre, as skipper, less than a year after taking on the role.
For this double-handed race between Le Havre and Martinique, he chose Thierry Chabagny, pontoon partner from their "wild Figariste years," as Anthony puts it. Yet, they have only sailed together twice: during the round-the-world record attempt on Spindrift in 2019 and… 7 days ago on Actual Ultim 3. A closer look at a duo of formidable competitors and allies.
Multihull experience, racing instinct, sailing fast and safely, human touch — these were the essential criteria for Anthony Marchand when recruiting his co-skipper. Thierry Chabagny's profile quickly stood out: “I feel confident alongside Thierry. That was a priority in my choice.” And with 17 years of competing in Figaro, including time spent in parallel on multihulls, Thierry Chabagny was definitely the right person. “Thierry is someone I respect a lot, who is talented, who loves to sail fast but safely. He is also a personality that fits the entire Team Actual, which is essential. He has a great reputation in the sailing world. For all these reasons, Thierry was at the top of my list.”
The two skippers also know each other well, having been competitors for ten years on the Figaro Bénéteau circuit, where competition is fierce, uncompromising, and everyone is on equal footing: “This one-design boat teaches you to understand the vessel, to feel it, to find the right trims, to optimize trajectories, to understand the weather. When you've spent several years sailing with that level of rigor and high standard, you manage to transpose it to other platforms,” emphasizes Thierry.
“With Thierry, we have both often sailed multihulls alongside the Figaro circuit. We built the same sailing culture at the Pôle Finistère Course au Large in Port La Forêt. There is also mutual trust between us, which is crucial on an Ultim,” comments Anthony.
Ultimately, these qualities and experiences, combined with their mutual respect, made their partnership obvious:
“Convincing Thierry to cross the Atlantic on an Ultim was pretty straightforward! Actual Ultim 3 is a magnificent machine; it’s hard to resist. He’s a sought-after skipper, so I’m thrilled he’s embarking on this adventure with me.” Thierry adds: “I've sailed in crewed teams very often, but crossing the Atlantic double-handed on this type of boat is something I've never done — that was a huge motivation factor. Plus, Antho is a friend, I like him, and he has a beautiful boat!”
Anthony concludes: “Thierry has just finished the Rolex Fastnet Race aboard Maxi Banque Populaire XI, which is a great way to build experience and put into practice the knowledge he gained on multihulls. I will also try to share my experience with him. This exchange will be very interesting for what comes next.”
Fresh off the Rolex Fastnet Race, Thierry boards Actual Ultim 3 with Anthony for a 1,200-mile sail to validate their entry into the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie – Le Havre.
“Following the announcement that Anthony is taking over from Yves le Blevec at the helm of Actual Ultim 3, we are writing a new chapter in the history of Actual's offshore racing partnership. Our boat is reliable, upgraded. We have a young skipper eager to fulfill his potential, who knows the vessel and took the time to master it throughout his preparation. This Transat is therefore a first, setting the tone for what's to come. We will set the bar in the right place to drive performance, demonstrate our ability to push boundaries, and position ourselves among potential winners. The choice of a co-skipper was based on compatibility with the skipper and the company's goals. We needed a co-skipper with whom Anthony feels comfortable and has good chemistry, who is experienced, a true competitor. Thierry was the best fit. For Anthony, in terms of preparation for the Ultim Round the World race (Arkea Ultim Challenge – Brest editor's note) in January, starting with a double-handed transatlantic race is ideal.”
Samuel Tual
President of Actual group
Joint interview with Anthony Marchand and Thierry Chabagny
How they met
“We first met at the Pôle Finistère Course au Large in Port La Forêt. I had been a member for a few years.”
Thierry
Few shared sails
“We sailed together once on Spindrift for a Jules Verne Trophy attempt that ultimately didn't happen. We were opponents far more often than crewmates!”
Thierry
Things in common
“We have both competed in many Figaro races, the Solitaires, transatlantic races, and every event on the circuit. We both love competition, the sea, and boats.”
Thierry
“We've done quite a bit of sailing on large multihulls and in Figaro. We also built the same culture at the training center.”
Anthony
The Figaro years
“It's the school of high standards; you have to know how to sail as fast as possible. It teaches you to understand the boat, feel it, find the right adjustments, optimize trajectories, and read the weather. That applies to all types of boats.”
Thierry
“There are many Figaro duos like us in the Transat Jacques Vabre. I don't know if it's an advantage over the others, but it might be a rite of passage in the sailing world!”
Anthony
Sailing a multihull means...
“I started in 2005 on the ORMA circuit. Then followed a decade of experience on maxi trimarans and Moths. I love speed. The feelings are amazing when the boat accelerates; it's pure joy.”
Thierry
Their added value
“I feel there's a strong sense of mutual trust between us. Thanks to our backgrounds, our Figaro results, and all the years spent on this type of boat (multihulls), we will sail with confidence while enjoying ourselves, keeping competition and performance in our sights.”
Thierry
Being welcomed into Team Actual means...
“I know them a bit because we were pontoon neighbors (when he was sailing with Spindrift, editor's note). The Team gave me a warm welcome, and it's a real pleasure to join a team like this. You can feel a great atmosphere; Anthony is well taken care of by his team. I can't wait to sail on this boat!”
Thierry
Track record: Thierry Chabagny - 51 years old - lives in Nevez (Finistère)
In Figaro
17 entries in the Solitaire du Figaro:2nd in 2006, 4th in 2009 and 2018, 5th in 2012, 2016 and ...1 victory, 7 leg podiums. 2 combativity awards (2017-2018)
2016:1st in the Transat Ag2r
2007:1st in the Cap Istanbul
2005:1st in the Tour de Bretagne
2007:2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre in Class40, skipper Dominic Vittet
In Multihulls
2012:winner of the MOD70 European Tour with Michel Desjoyeaux
2012:Jules Verne Trophy record holder on the Maxi Trimaran Banque Populaire V (helmsman/trimmer/bowman) with Loïck Peyron
Mediterranean crossing record
Around the British Isles record
Currently:Helmsman-Trimmer aboard Spindrift 2 for Jules Verne Trophy Record attempt – crewed round-the-world
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