Elodie Bonafous: My incredible opportunity in the IMOCA Class

How is the beginning of this project going?

These past few weeks have been particularly intense. We received the boat, almost ready to sail, thanks to the work of MerConcept (the boatyard, editor’s note). There were still some finishing touches to be made to fully configure it and make it operational. At the same time, we had to assemble and train an entirely new team, learn to work together, and find our bearings. That has really been the top priority at the moment.

Last week, we carried out our first sailing sessions, with three outings at sea. We gradually ramped up: first with little wind, then in more challenging conditions. And it was incredible! (laughs). An intense experience, with amazing sailing sessions and a peak speed of 30 knots. For me, it was my first real handling of the boat, and the excitement was definitely there. After several months spent on land preparing, managing the project, and dealing with theoretical aspects, we are finally moving into the action phase.

The goal now is to optimise our sailing time as much as possible over the next two to three months, in order to better understand the boat and fully exploit its potential.

Tell us about your training program?

The main objective is to maximise time on the water, accumulating as many hours of sailing as possible. I am well aware that with these boats, the actual sailing time is limited by technical constraints and the necessary preparation before each outing. Fortunately, we have the advantage of not starting from scratch: this boat is not entirely new, it has already been tested, which reduces the risk of major issues and allows us to sail more frequently.

The plan is to aim for at least two outings per week, with three days dedicated to boat preparation to ensure it is always ready to sail in the best conditions. The challenge is twofold: on one hand, learning to handle the boat technically, understanding its behavior, and refining our handling; on the other hand, establishing a detailed "job list" to identify the necessary adjustments to tailor it to our needs. This boat is from the same design as Charlie (Dalin's), but it must be optimised according to my own sensations and expectations.

For now, the absolute priority is to be on the water, testing, analyzing what works or doesn’t, and making adjustments accordingly. Later, we will enter a more specific preparation phase in anticipation of our first races.

What are your first impressions while sailing?

It’s an incredible opportunity! From the very first outings, everything worked perfectly. No major issues disrupted our sessions, and today, only a few details remain to be fine-tuned. This is exactly why we chose this boat and this shipyard: to be able to sail confidently from the start. Each outing is a huge learning experience, and we are progressing at high speed without being held back by technical problems.

And in terms of sensations… it’s just crazy! The first time out, with 10 to 12 knots of wind, we were sailing at 15 knots, and I already felt like we were going fast. I thought, "What will it be like when we double this speed?" And in just a few outings, you completely get used to the boat’s performance. During one session, we were sailing at 15 knots, and I instinctively thought, "Aren’t we a bit stuck here?" (laughs).

This is exactly what I’m looking for: the pure discovery of the boat, these raw sensations. Each outing is a continuous learning process. I constantly analyse manoeuvres, think about how to optimise every adjustment. We are still in the early stages of sailing, but it is already an incredible experience.

Do you plan to sail with Charlie Dalin?

For now, it is not planned, and we have not discussed it yet. But if I ever manage to get him on board one day, that would be amazing! Not necessarily to gather specific data, but more to observe how he operates his boat.

That said, Charlie’s team has been incredibly available throughout the winter to support us on technical aspects and answer our questions. Having access to that kind of exchange and shared experience is a real advantage.

For those who don’t know you, can you introduce yourself briefly?

I am from Northern Finistère, near Locquirec, and I discovered sailing very early thanks to my father, who owned a small cruising boat. From a very young age, I sailed with my family and immediately loved it. I quickly wanted to take the helm myself, so I insisted on joining a sailing school in Optimists at around 7 or 9 years old.

It was through competition that my passion became a real addiction. I loved sailing, feeling strong winds, taking on challenges. The competitive spirit captivated me right from the start. I even asked my parents to enroll me in a sailing-focused sports program in middle school, but they preferred that I focus on my studies first. I finally got the chance to join a sports-study program in high school, sailing in dinghies and then in 420s.

At the same time, I pursued a degree in STAPS (Science and Technology of Physical Sports Activities) in Brest, a strategic choice that allowed me to continue sailing while earning a master’s degree. But my goal was clear: I wanted to do everything I could to reach a high level in sailing. After experiences in dinghies, inshore keelboats, J80s, and match racing, I faced a dilemma: continue sailing while working or fully dedicate myself to offshore racing. That’s when I decided to take the leap and commit entirely to offshore sailing.

I then applied for the Bretagne CMB training program, which was opening its first women’s selection in the Figaro class. Looking back, this training was a real opportunity. The transition after studies can be tough, especially when balancing high-level sport and financial constraints. Thanks to this opportunity, I was able to fully commit to the Figaro circuit.

Since childhood, offshore racing has always fascinated me. Like many kids, I followed the Vendée Globe, but I was completely captivated by it. Ellen MacArthur particularly inspired me, especially when she finished second in the Vendée Globe. That’s when I said to myself, "One day, I want to do this." The Vendée Globe was my first dream, and then I discovered other races like the Solitaire du Figaro.

When I entered the Figaro class, it was with a clear objective: to perform. I didn’t just want to be there for the pleasure of it, but to really progress and aim for podiums. I gave myself five years to learn, evolve, and establish myself in this demanding class.

During my Figaro years, I met the Quéguiner Groupe. From our discussions, the idea of building an IMOCA project together emerged. IMOCA has always been a dream for me, but I want this project to have a real sporting purpose. My ambition is not just to participate in the Vendée Globe but to do so with clear performance goals.

I hadn’t imagined having a brand-new boat, but I wanted a competitive IMOCA, capable of achieving strong ambitions. In the end, building a new boat turned out to be an opportunity that perfectly matched my expectations. Today, I am thrilled to be leading this project with the Quéguiner Groupe and embarking on this new adventure.

What have you put in place to achieve your performance goals?

When I talk about performance, it’s not about numbers. I don’t like setting numerical targets, especially for a first Vendée Globe campaign. My ambition is above all to build a project where the sporting challenge is central, to push myself, to learn, and to improve.

For me, performance means being in tune with my commitment, evolving throughout the project, and focusing on my own progression without comparing myself to others. This involves several key areas, particularly mental preparation. I think a lot about how I set my goals, how I structure my work, and the team I build around me.

One crucial aspect is staying focused on my boat, especially during races. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others, constantly checking their speed. But what really matters is asking the right questions: How is my boat performing? How am I managing this situation? How am I progressing step-by-step? I adopt a philosophy of continuous adaptation, always listening to the project and advancing based on my needs and capabilities at a given time.

This year, you won’t be sailing alone very often, as you’ll have co-skippers and a crew for the Course des Caps. How are you approaching this season?

I’m thrilled because this set-up will allow me to learn quickly by relying on crewed and double-handed sailing. Taking advantage of the experience of my co-skippers and the crew is an invaluable opportunity. It’s a gradual approach that helps me get to grips with the boat while building my skills before transitioning to solo sailing next year.

If I’m not mistaken, my first solo race in 2026 will be the Vendée Arctique, a demanding event. This season is therefore a crucial step: it gives me the time to fully understand my IMOCA, learn its every detail, and gather as much knowledge as possible before sailing alone.

I see this year as a learning opportunity, a chance to accelerate my progress by drawing inspiration from those around me.