The french sailor, skipper of the Ultime Sodebo, will compete in the Bol d’Or Mirabaud aboard the TF35 Ylliam XII Comptoir Immobilier. He tells us what the Bol d’Or Mirabaud means to him.
Thomas, have you ever raced on Lake Geneva?
Thomas Coville : Yes, I competed in a few M2 races on Lake Geneva and lake Neuchâtel. I also sailed a bit on D35s with Stève Ravussin, but I never participated in the Bol d’Or Mirabaud. I’m really looking forward to it. For a Breton like me (Thomas is originally from Rennes but based in Brittany), it’s a fantasy.
What fantasy?
TC : It’s a shock every time. Like sailing in New Zealand or Norway, having your eyes in the mountains, fresh water…
What does sailing on Lake Geneva mean to you?
TC : Beyond the landscape, this area is extremely dynamic and its yachting related actors creative, particularly in the field of multihulls. The resources available and the quality of the teams are extraordinary.
What do you expect from your participation in the Bol d’Or Mirabaud?
TC : I’m looking forward to it for many reasons. I really enjoy participating in an event that brings together top professionals on state-of-the-art sailboats, but also amateurs. It’s like cycling or hiking, two disciplines that I really enjoy and which also allow this sharing. In the field of sailing, I would compare it to the Round the Isle of Wight regatta for example.
Will you have time to prepare?
TC : Yes, clearly, I will spend almost two weeks on Lake Geneva. Before the Bol d’Or Mirabaud, I’ll be taking part in the Geneva-Rolle-Geneva and we’re planning to train a lot with the whole team.
How do you see the sharing of skills between your experience of the open sea and the one of the sailors on Lake Geneva?
TC : I have a lot to learn, I am curious and I consider myself a sponge. That’s the great strength of our sport: there are so many ways of doing things and there is always a lot to learn. I will bring all my energy to the team, but I am also looking forward to the freedom that comes from being out of my own project and the responsibilities that come with it. I am not meant to be a great leader, but I do enjoy being at the service of a group and sharing my knowledge.
