After winning the World Cup skiing, the Paris-Dakar (2006) and eight appearances in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Luc Alphand is about to cross the Atlantic as part of the Transat Jacques Vabre, the start is given to Havre on Sunday October 30.

Luc Alphand comes back: After his best result at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2006 with seventh place overall with the Corvette team Luc Alphand Aventures, in a motorcycle accident in 2009 at the rally Rand'Auvergne and three fractured vertebrae very nearly left him quadriplegic . But after skiing and motor sport, here it is now ready to cast off for a third sporting life, he discovered alongside Marc Thiercelin, his skipper at the helm of the yacht DCNS 1000 for the transatlantic double: "At first, I had everything to learn. Marc has shown great patience. I know the conditions of the Transat Jacques Vabre may be tough but Marc has prepared me with great determination. "

Marc Thiercelin is full of praise for his new teammate: "We have worked hard over the past year. Luke had to become familiar as soon as possible with the monocoque to understand the maneuvers and gain the automatic navigation. We've done five internships Navigation ten days each, traveled over 11,000 miles ... Luc spent 70 days at sea, is two races in a crew and race in duplicate. He is one of those people who, when they engage in a project, do 100%. I am proud of the duo that we are today. " No doubt the consummate experience of Marc Thiercelin (four Vendée Globe to his credit, one finished in second place) and the enthusiasm of Luc Alphand will be invaluable in overcoming the challenges that await between Le Havre and Costa Rica.

Jean-Philippe Doret
(Source: Press information from DCNS)

Photo : Luc Alphand ( left) at the helm with Marc Thiercelin.