Nicolas Lunven, an insatiable navigator

Volvo Ocean Race: Building up a solid level of experience

Following his victory in the Solitaire du Figaro last summer, the Breton navigator admits ‘he’s spared no effort.” Indeed, with the curtain having only just fallen on the Solitaire du Figaro, Nicolas Lunven linked onto the Tour de France à la Voile in the role of meteorologist for two competing crews before rejoining the VOR65 Turn The Tide on Plastic skippered by Dee Caffari in early August in the Rolex Fastnet Race. It proved to be a conclusive outing for this international crew, as he has since become one of the ship’s navigators, alternating with Brian Thompson in the Volvo Ocean Race. Added to this race schedule for late 2017 is the Douarnenez Fastnet Solo, where he secures second place and with it the title of French Elite Offshore Racing Champion 2017. Nicolas subsequently treats himself to a well-earned break and monitors leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race from shore. “It’s good to get a bit of rest”, he explains, “and leave my seat in this leg to Brian Thompson with whom I’ve been collaborating with the weather analysis since the start of this Round the World. I’m making the most of some family time (Ed: Nicolas became a dad for the second time during the leg from Lisbon – Cape Town) and I’m recharging my batteries because the Volvo is a long and very wearing race. What I’m experiencing as a navigator in the Volvo Ocean Race is great and I’m learning a lot. We’re navigating zones we’re fairly unfamiliar with, like the Southern Ocean, which was a first for me. How lucky I am to get to share that with Brian and Dee, both with multiple round the worlds to their credit!”

Sailing and sailing some more!

Back in France, it’s out of the question to leave my foulies to dry for too long. “In the next few days, I’m going to be participating in the IRC category of the Spi Ouest France with friends. As a matter of interest, I’m delighted to be hooking back up with Jacques Pelletier (owner of the boat), who treated me to my first Fastnet ride on his boat when I was 17… I’ll also be doing a few sailing trips on the Figaro circuit with Alexis Loison. The next project will be a major first for me: I’ll be second in command to Jean-René Guilloux on La Plastimo Lorient Mini 6.50 (start on 6 April), my very first race on a Mini 6.50. I’m really looking forward to discovering this highly dynamic class and these really crazy boats. To my mind, it’s important to continue getting out on the water as often as possible to keep your finger on the pulse. In mid-April, I’ll rejoin my Volvo team in Itajai and I can’t see myself setting foot on-board without having sailed for 6 weeks!”

At the start of the Vendée Globe!

At the same time as these sailing trips, Nicolas and his team are continuing to hunt for partners in order to participate in the next Vendée Globe. “The minute I set foot on land, I focus on this goal! We are still very much on track to put a project together with a view to 2020. We need to be creative and responsive with those we liaise with.”

Find out all about the Volvo Ocean Race: www.volvooceanrace.com/en

News about Nicolas:  www.nicolaslunven.com