Clarisse Cremer back on track: heading to Vendée Globe with Alex Thomson as coach

There is a happy ending to the story of Clarisse Cremer, first ” dumped” by sponsor Banque Populaire because her pregnancy put her qualification for the Vendée Globe (solo round-the-world race on IMOCA 60) at risk, now back on track with a new project. Putting his hand in it was Boss Alex Thomson, who had purchased the Imoca 60 formerly Apivia destined for Clarisse as soon as he learned that Banque Populaire had fired the skipper.

Clarisse Cremer: a dreamteam with Thomson

Clarisse’s affair had caused quite a stir because it had the flavor of discrimination, something unacceptable if the sailing world wants to propose inclusive models without gender differences and access possibilities to professional sailing. Thomson first purchased her Imoca but without officially stating that it was intended for her. He worked quietly with his company dedicated to ocean sports projects, waiting for Cremer to find a new sponsor as well. This became apparent with Occitaine en Provence, a cosmetics company that has already taken part in the last Vendèe Globe.

“We want to show that becoming a mother does not change anything about the athlete you are,” Thomson said in confirmation of her desire to send a message to the sailing world. “I am putting all my energy into the success of this project to show that with desire, determination and the right partners, we can make society, business and sports better,” Cremer echoed him.

What role will the Briton play in Clarisse’s challenge? In fact he will be a kind of coach, helping her discover and prepare the Imoca 60 with which she will race as of the next regattas, the former Apivia that proved in Charlie Dalin’s hands to be the most efficient boat of the last generation. A fast and well-run Imoca, which can enable Cremer to play for victory both in the coming transatlantic and in view of the Vendée Globe. First, however, qualifying miles are needed, and for Cremer, 2023 will be decisive, with the Transat Jacques Vabre coming up at the end of the year.

Clarisse Cremer, who is the “terrible” girl

A Parisian, born in 1989, she made her mark in her early days in the Mini 650 class where she took a resounding second place at the 2017 Transat. He immediately makes the leap by switching to Figaro 3s, and then directly to Imoca 60s without going through Class 40s. Many describe her as the most crystalline female talent since Ellen MacArthur, which Clarisse in a sense has already surpassed.

In fact, in 2021, she broke the record held by the Englishwoman, becoming the fastest woman ever to finish the Vendée Globe in an excellent 12th position and in less than 100 days. In November 2022, she became a mother to a baby girl she had with her husband Tanguy le Turquais, also a top ocean sailor.

Alex Thomson, who is the Boss

Alex Thomson, class of 1974 from Bangor, Wales, dubbed “Boss” by us back in the days when he ran with Hugo Boss. Like his style or not, he is the man who has revolutionized the world of ocean racing in the past 20 years. Alex Thomson radically changed the world of communication in sailing, imposing a new style, with his famous “keel walk,” “mast walk,” with the videos from aboard with a spirited face as Hugo Boss sailed in 40 or 50 knots of wind in the carbon din.

His career achievements before retiring from racing include the Clipper Race won in 1999, one third and one second place at Vendée Globe (out of 5 participations). It holds the 24-hour mileage record, solo and on a monohull (536.81), solo Atlantic crossing record in 2012, record at Route du Rhum in 2018. On this occasion he was first over the finish line after running into rocks a few miles from the finish line and operating the engine to disengage, a fact that earned him a penalty in the standings and third place in place of the first place he got on the water.