Rosie, the last time we spoke was after the final leg of the Ocean Race, which you won with Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia. Now you've been appointed co-skipper alongside Nicolas Lunven for Holcim - PRB. What a lightning career!
Yes, time flies ...!
You've risen from rookie to regular crew member, then heroine of the Southern Ocean, world record holder and now skipper - a breathtaking career on the high seas. In how short a time?
Oh, I don't even keep a record of it. Pretty quick, I'd say. It's great to find a follow-up campaign so quickly.
Did you hesitate for a moment before accepting because your new job meant leaving Team Malizia?
Yes, of course. It's an ambivalent feeling because my heart still belongs to Malizia and because I've made friends for life there. It's such a wonderful team! And when you're approached by a competitor, you start to wonder: should I really do this?
On the other hand, it's such a great opportunity. I discussed everything openly with Boris and Holly (Cova, team leader of Malizia) and they both said the same thing: it's an offer I can't refuse. They said that they were fully behind me and that the door would always be open for me. That made it easier for me to accept. I felt very supported, although of course I had to take the step on my own. So it was a smooth transition.
How did this come about?
Holcim - PRB contacted me in the summer. I put the phone down and immediately rang Holly. And after I'd spoken to her, I called Boris.
Were you and Nicolas Lunven approached together?
No, we were contacted by PRB completely independently of each other. I didn't realise that Nico was also part of their plan. In one of the first phone calls I even told them: For the Vendée Globe you have to talk to Nico because he is such a good character, such a good sailor, he can win the Vendée Globe on Holcim - PRB. That would be the smartest move they could make. A few weeks ago, when we were about to sign the contract, I insisted on knowing who my skipper would be and I was told it would be him. We both only found out recently.
Who brought the project to you?
The managing director of PRB and an external consultant.
Were you previously in contact with Kevin Escoffier, the former Holcim skipper who announced his provisional resignation in May following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee?
No.
Would you have considered the appointment if Nico Lunven had been replaced by Kevin Skipper as before?
For me, the commitment to this project is based on the fact that Nico and I get on very well. And we can build a new team. These factors were decisive for me. Also, Holcim's 'Go Circular' approach to sustainability fits very well with my mission, which is to be an ambassador for the oceans and promote diversity in our sport.
You are not taking over any of the existing, very experienced Holcim team members?
No, we are building a new and strong team from scratch.
How will you organise the day-to-day business, how will you divide up the responsibilities?
We still have to find out.
Where will your base be?
The boat is currently moored in Port-la-Forêt in Vincent Riou's shed. We are carrying out a small overhaul. And in October, "Holcim - PRB" will be back in the water, we'll do some training before Nico and I take the boat to Martinique for the start of the "Retour à la Base" regatta, which Nico needs as part of his Vendée Globe qualification.
What will happen after the Vendée? Will you take over the role of skipper from Nico?
Yes, exactly.
Is the budget sufficient to make the boat even faster, for example by developing new foils and other modifications? Kevin Escoffier had already hinted at the stopover in Itajaí that he would change a few things for solo sailing?
Everything is open for discussion. We have agreed to organise the Vendée Globe and the next Ocean Race Europe. We have a lot of ideas for what is still to come, but nothing has been decided yet.
I have to say: it couldn't be better. We are a great team, we have the full support of a great sponsor and the reactions have also been extremely positive. It's a dream!
When was your first time on a boat?
Ten days ago, the weekend before last. We did our first photo shoot there.
Do you already have an idea of the crew constellation for the Ocean Race Europe?
At the moment, I'm fully focussed on getting the boat ready for the launch, preparing Nico perfectly for the Vendée Globe and building a strong commercial and technical team. But in the back of my mind, of course, I'm also thinking about the Ocean Race Europe. My aim is to put together a very versatile, diverse team.
Do you sometimes have to pinch yourself when you think about what you have achieved and what still lies ahead?
It's really amazing, something very special. I've always had the ambition to start my own campaign one day, but not so soon after The Ocean Race. I will definitely grab this opportunity with both hands.
What will your next few weeks look like?
I'm currently remodelling my house. My boyfriend and I bought it when I rounded Cape Horn on "Malizia - Seaexplorer". People often ask me: Are you well rested now after the race? And I say: No! I'm glad to be back on board, because my life at home is much more hectic than the race. But I have enough energy!
I'm currently on my way to pick up window frames. We've moved into a new flat near the house so we don't have to waste so much time driving. We want to finish the renovation as soon as possible - hopefully by February.
And as far as sailing is concerned- What are your next steps?
I will be going to France for a fortnight in October to install some systems on the boat, do the launching and the technical sailing. And from 1 November, Nico and I will ferry the boat to Martinique, where I will stay on site for the whole month.
It's very special for me and I feel very honoured to be working with someone like Nicolas Lunven. He really is one of the best ocean sailors in the world - and also one of the nicest people I know. It's a great pleasure to be working with him again! He has so much knowledge about performance, weather and strategy. He treats everyone with so much respect! When I sailed with him on Malizia - Seaexplorer, I felt like I was spending a day at the spa. We are super positive about the future.
