Route du Rhum: all about our skipper Maxime Cauwe

The skipper Mawime Cauwe will hoist the colors of Wisper during the Route du Rhum 2022. Maxime will embark on his Class 40 for this legendary transatlantic race on 6 November 2022. Before the big day, we let you discover exclusively its route, its anecdotes and its ambitions!

Discover here our questions for Maxime Cauwe, the skipper Wisper

Where does this passion for sailing come from?

I spent my childhood in Dijon, so quite far from the coast. My parents used to go on vacation to Brittany, because my father is a sailor. I have always been immersed in this world and developed my passion for sailing. When I was a child, it was more the adventure and pirate aspect that appealed to me. But the big revelation came during the 1996 Vendée Globe. I followed the whole race and discovered ocean racing and round the world races. That's when I decided to start sailing. I did my first regatta when I was 15 and my first offshore race when I was 19.

Why did you become a full-time skipper?

At first, I was sailing in my free time alongside my other activities. But I realized that there was a kind of glass ceiling. It took me a lot longer to progress, because I had little time to devote to it. But 2 years ago, I had the opportunity to become a full time skipper and I jumped at the chance!

What is your greatest pride since your debut?

It's hard to choose just one, so I'll tell you two! One of my greatest achievements was finishing 8^th in the French championship the year. I am proud of this result, because my boat was not very young and it is a championship that takes place over a whole season. There were 7 races, so it was a great merit to arrive at the 8^th place of the ranking!

Another event that really marked me took place at the beginning of the year. I brought my boat back and made a solo crossing of the Atlantic!

What is the most complicated part of a race?

For offshore racing, I would say that the most complicated thing is to know how to set the cursor. You have to know how to balance between attacking and stopping to protect your boat, as in the case of strong winds where there may be a risk of breakage for example. It's not just a personal difficulty, it's something general that applies to all skippers. Experience is therefore very important, because the more you know the weather conditions, your boat and its limits, the more you will be able to measure and find the right balance.

What does the Route du Rhum mean to you?

In 2018, I had to withdraw from the Route du Rhum en route. I am therefore very eager to try this experience again. Especially since it is a mythical transatlantic race and especially one of the most famous. The Route du Rhum is a real challenge for me!

How did you prepare for the race?

Après la Dhreamcup ce week-end, je vais commencer à préparer mon bateau et à faire toutes les vérifications nécessaires. À partir de septembre, je vais commencer à m’entraîner avec les conditions météo similaire à la Route du Rhum pour avoir les bons réflexes lors de la course !

Why did you choose Wisper? What does this partnership mean to you?

I was looking for new partnerships for this Route du Rhum 2022 and I made a very nice meeting initiated by Bertrand Micheau. While talking, we quickly realized that we shared the same values, that our DNA is very close and especially that this project could bring a lot to the Wisper group. Besides, I really like to get involved in partnerships to bring meaning to them. I had the chance to meet the Wisper teams and to offer them a moment of sailing at sea!

What will be the next step in the program? What are the next steps, the next races planned after the RDR?

To begin with, I have a very good boat that I am proud of, but it is getting old. So I'd like to find a budget to sail a newer boat to see what I can do!

In the next dreams I would like to realize, there is of course the opportunity to participate in the Vendée Globe! It is one of the most legendary offshore races that has given me this passion for sailing. So it would be an honor and above all a great pride for me to be able to participate!

Join the adventure on our social medias and on those of Maxime ! #OnEstLarge