Part 2 of the Torresen Sailing Site Interview with
Jean-Pierre Mouligné of Cray Valley

   This is a feeling that you have to get used to.  I often say that one of the best qualities of single handers is a lack of imagination!  Also, and more seriously, I have several warning devices which will wake me up in case of a boat in the area. The radar has a "guard" zone with warning if a ship enters it, and I also carry a radar detector system called "The Card" which sounds an alarm when a ship with radar enters within its reach.

Torresen Sailing Site:  Which way do you view around alone: I just want to make it all the way  around, or I want to win?

  My unique goal is to win Class II.

Torresen Sailing Site:  What is the difference between leading a crew and providing the necessary self discipline when single-handling?

   I am not sure I understand the question.

Torresen Sailing Site:  What would you advice be to someone entering solo-sailing?

  Do not assume that because you have done a lot of sailing you will be a good single handed sailor. Find out how comfortable and how much you enjoy sailing by yourself by starting in relatively short distance races.   Doing a Bermuda one-two, for example, is an ideal stepping-stone. Be super prepared  and learn to anticipate.

Torresen Sailing Site:   What qualities as a sailor do you possess that make you feel you can win  the race?

    I believe I have a good ability to concentrate and a lot of self-discipline. In fact, I know that I am better at single handling than I am at sailing   with a crew.

Torresen Sailing Site:  Who are some of the sailing heroes and role models that inspire you?

    I grew up in France in the 60s where Eric Tabarly was a hero. I also met  Alain Colas who made a strong impression on me.  Much later I met and had great respect and admiration for Mike Plant whom I got to know  quite well.


Torresen Sailing Site:   What is the one thing you are most uncertain of?

There are a lot of uncertainties in doing a race such as the Around Alone. But on a boat as light and wide as mine, the risk of capsizing in the southern ocean is probably one of the biggest concerns.

Torresen Sailing Site:   Who do you feel your toughest competition is?

   So far there are 22 sign-in competitors in Class II, of whom I only know about half.  That is a lot of competition.  Of the ones I know, some have a lot of experience such as Robin Davie, Brian Hancock or Chaniah Vaughan who already has done it once.  Mike Garside does not have as  much experience, but has put his boat in early and is training hard. He has an excellent boat, probably the best of the fleet.  Brad Van Liew
from California is a young aggressive sailor who will sail on a boat which raced in the last BOC but could not show his true potential due to the lack of funds of its previous skipper.  He will certainly be a tough competitor.

Torresen Sailing Site:   Do you plan to take a library of books along?

No I do not read anything while I race.

Torresen Sailing Site:    How is funding and sponsorship coming?

    I have been very lucky to secure sponsorship early in my campaign and I have received great support from Cray Valley and several other smaller  corporate sponsors.  We have kept the campaign as lean as possible but  we have adequate funds to race.

Torrresen Sailing Site:    Describe your Newport-Bermuda record setting voyage? (Note: J.P. set the record for the Newport to Bermuda passage in November 1996.   It took him 2 days 5 hours 55 minutes and 55 seconds.  He averaged 11.76 knots). What did you  learn from it?  What impact has it had on your campaign?

    The Newport to Bermuda record race was a great test for the boat. We were routed by Bob Rice who did a very good job.  The conditions were heavy but never dangerous.  We had wind from the north-east shifting to north-west from 25 - 40 knots all the way.  The seas were moderate except in the gulf stream where they reached 25 feet and sometimes more.  We had our fastest burst of speed on the second night when we
hit 30.5 knots.  We had several hours where the speed was never below 18 knots.  Overall, this run gave me a lot of confidence in the boat's  speed and also it's strength.  We took a lot of pounding and did not break anything.  From a marketing standpoint, it showed that we had a competitive boat and gave us some early exposure.  It was overall a very positive experience.

Part 1 of the Interview