Quentin Vlamynck, new skipper of Arkema 4
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since Quentin Vlamynck, the new Arkema 4 skipper and the youngest in the Multi50 class, enjoyed his first family sailing outings on the lake of Biscarrosse. Still passionate about sailing regattas, he was studying at the Plastics and Composite Materials faculty at the Lycée Polyvalent de la Mer in Gujan-Mestras in September 2011 when he met skipper and entrepreneur Lalou Roucayrol, who was attending a conference. They hit it off. Quentin started a work-study program at the Lalou Multi boatyard. Ten years later, they still make a great team and there’s no doubt that Quentin is getting ready to take the helm one day. A wonderful example of mutual trust and the handing down of knowledge.
“When I joined the Lalou Multi team, I had everything to learn. That was what interested Lalou, being able to train me and pass on his view of the work and sailing. When I arrived, the Arkema 1 trimaran was being built. Next came the Arkema 3, the first 6.50m prototype made from Elium® recyclable thermoplastic resin, and Arkema 4, the new trimaran bursting with innovation. Being a member of the construction team was completely part of the job. Having that permanent contact with the boatyard is both enriching and humbling. Sailing is the cherry on the cake. At each stage, there are different responsibilities. Lalou has always been available. He passes on everything he knows, and doesn’t keep anything back. He taught me how to be a skipper. With Arkema 4, the pressure went up a notch, but he gave me the confidence I needed. We share the helm and everything that happens on board. Lalou is sharing more and more of the decisions and that’s really gratifying. I’m lucky to be trained by someone with a huge amount of experience. He knows the sea and has been sailing on multihulls for more than thirty years. At the age of 28, I still have a lot to learn about these boats, which are the most sophisticated there are. Lalou is coming with me on all my trips this year, so that I can be completely ready for the next “Transat Jacques Vabre” race in November. There’s no set path to get there. You need to be patient and humble, focused on what you’re doing in the here and now, never give in and, bit by bit, you move forward, you grow.”
Lalou Roucayrol, skipper and entrepreneur
