Just in time a few days before the start of the 2016 EFG Sailing Arabia the Tour, we sit down with Gilles Favenec, the captain of the Almouj crew about the team’s debut in this edition of this prestigious sailing event.
Ahoy! Tell us a little bit of something about yourself…
I’m a professional sailor who’s been in the game for 20 years, during which I’ve done a variety of sailing, including some single-handed stuff (La Solitaire du Figaro) and 15 years of match race (including being in the Top Five for five years running and two America’s Cup). Three years ago I started multihull on Oman’s mod 70 with seasoned sailor Sidney Gavignet.
How long have you been living the “seafaring” life?
I started sailing when I was six years old, which means water’s been in my life for 35 years. When I’m not sailing, I’m surfing, fishing or doing surf-skiing. I have three kids and they started surfing with me – something I’m really proud of. For us it’s really important to spend time close to the sea.
What would you say is one of the best parts of your career?
You would think it’s the two America’s Cup campaigns, but honestly it is the second place we secured in the World Match racing tour.
Leading the Almouj crew for their maiden voyage, how excited is the team?
With the exception of Nicolas (Nico) Lunven – who has already done the Sailing Arabia Tour with Sidney Gavignet, it’s the first time for all of us.
My crewmate Thomas Rouxel and I have done some sailing events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but we haven’t gotten the chance to see these countries. We’re looking forward to meeting the people and maximize our visits to each country during the stopovers.
How do you and the rest of the team train for the upcoming Sailing Arabia – The Tour?
We are not training collectively at the moment, but we’re gearing up on our own. Thomas just got back Spindrift racing at Trophée Jules Verne, Nicolas is training hard on Figaro and Christian is racing on IRC doing the Primo Cup in Monaco. As for me, I’m training and racing in SB20 class.
Your sailing background is impressive, how would your experience in sailing events across the globe impact your team’s performance in this race?
Christian Ponthieu, Nico, Tom, Gregory and I have competed a number of times in Tour de France à la Voile; Christian’s taken three to four wins and the rest of us have taken one to two. We know that SATT 2016 will be similar as it is also a long-haul race – some results will be good, some results not as much – but each day we will try to do our best. Especially in these types of races, it’s important that each sailor help the team and we will make sure we have a good time together and keep spirits high. That’s for the whole team: Nico, Christian, Tom, Gregory Gendron, Haitham Al Wahaibi, Abdullaziz Al Obidani and me.
In the water, what is your strategy for keeping the team’s morale on high?
Enjoy our luck to be here and seeing these amazing coastlines. Each stopover is a new and exciting country to visit with a lot of opportunities for us to meet new people.
What is the greatest challenge you face when out in the water and how do you go around it?
One of the greatest challenges when out on the water is the ever changing conditions, with unpredictable winds and headings the crew constantly have to stay focused and ready for what might be thrown at them next. Maintaining the high spirit is fundamental to ensuring this happens and will be one of our main priorities for the tour.
Age: 41 years old
Nationality: French
Occupation: Professional Sa
