Amélie Grassi: "Paving the way and exploring this new concept is always exceptional"
Amélie Grassi, a member of the Biotherm crew, tells us about the start of the race from on board.
•••Age | 43 (9/3/79) |
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Top performance | 3-time Paralympic Games medalists in 2.4mR, 5 world titles |
Joined Imoca on | 2018 |
Team | Groupe APICIL |
Base | LORIENT |
Partners | Groupe APICIL, Mutuelle Intégrance, Mutuelle MBTP, Gresham, Intencial, Veralti, One Life |
Commitment | Founder of Feet and Hands for more access to water sports for people with disabilities |
Born without his left hand, Damien Seguin still manages to combine two careers: one in Paralympic sailing, the other in offshore racing. Triple Paralympic medallist in the 2.4 mR (gold medal in Athens and Rio and a silver in Beijing) and fifth-time world champion in this discipline, Damien first got into offshore racing in 2005 via the Figaro (one-design yacht measuring 10.20 metres in length and the craft of choice for the French Elite Offshore Racing Championship).
The skipper then moved up to the Class 40 (a 12-metre long monohull), competing in a series of races, with transatlantic passages as well as two Route du Rhums in 2010 and 2014… Determined and constantly striving to excel, the man who has spent years convincing others that his handicap is not an obstacle in his bid to immerse himself in the domain of able-bodied sport, is now taking on a huge challenge: the Vendée Globe.
Damien Seguin has had a remarkable Vendée Globe. First to complete his round-the-world voyage in an IMOCA with straight daggerboards and sixth in the general ranking, at the finish, the double Olympic champion declared "I always wanted my race to be a symbol, being a top-level athlete means, for me, being the showcase of his sport." Mission accomplished for Damien, who proved that it was no longer a question of whether a disabled athlete could race the Vendée Globe.
Mobilized for disability
The APICIL Group and its members, APICIL provident and Intégrance mutual insurance, specialists in supporting less able-bodied persons and dependents, have chosen to support the skipper Damien SEGUIN in his next challenge: to take the start of the Vendée Globe. The APICIL Group’s commitment to the support and inclusion of less able-bodied persons is one of the main focuses of its social welfare policies. This commitment translates as support for numerous associations, which are notably involved with less able-bodied athletes. One objective: to support the development of sports practice at every level and for everyone. Through sharing these common values a bond was naturally formed between these protagonists and Damien Seguin as the skipper is also extremely committed to equality between less able-bodied and able-bodied persons.
2022: Route du Rhum - Retired (colision, dismated)
2022: Vendée Arctique - 9th
2022: Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 9th
2021: Transat Jacques Vabre - 11th
2021: Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération - 10th
2021: Rolex Fastnet Race - 7th
Name | BIOTHERM |
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Sail number | FRA 2030 |
Architect | Guillaume Verdier |
Construction | 2022, Persico Marine |
Former names |
Length | 18,28 m |
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Beam | NC |
Draught | 4,5 m |
Weight | NC |
Mast height | 29 m |
Mast type | Wing mast |
Foils | Yes |
Sail area max. | |
Upwind | NC |
Downwind | NC |
Amélie Grassi, a member of the Biotherm crew, tells us about the start of the race from on board.
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•••The five IMOCA crews taking the start of the 14th edition of The Ocean Race can expect an action-packed first leg when they set sail today, with everything from tough upwind conditions and super-fast downwind sections ou…
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