Quentin Vlamynck and his crew came out on top on Saturday 9 July 2022 in Roscoff in the Final Rush, and so won the 2nd edition of the Pro Sailing Tour on Arkema. At the helm of this Ocean Fifty class trimaran for the 2nd year, Quentin Vlamynck has now carved his place as a highly talented skipper in this very demanding circuit, where competition is at its fiercest! Consistent cohesion within the crew coupled with outstanding tactical sailing helped Arkema race to victory at the end of the 3 episodes - Bonifacio, Brest, Saint-Quay-Portrieux - and this Final Rush. A huge reward for the 29-year old skipper in the run-up to the major event, sailing solo in the second part of the season in the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe race.
A spectacular Final Rush
Sailing off from Cowes on Wednesday 7 July at 8pm French time heading for Roscoff, passing the coast of Ireland, Quentin, Étienne Carra and Mayeul Riffet were brilliant over the 940-mile course in ideal sea conditions.
As they sailed into the Bloscon harbour in Roscoff, Quentin Vlamynck showed his pleasure and satisfaction at winning this final crew race: “Once again it was very intense sailing right from the start. We quickly took the lead of the fleet, and all we had to do then was keep our competitors in check! But it wasn't easy because the conditions were more favourable for those at the rear, and it was nerve-wracking. We had to remain strong and steady so as not to make any mistakes. It's really great to win this Final Rush. This is a fitting tribute to our consistency over the entire Pro Sailing Tour.”
Arkema, winner of the Pro Sailing Tour
Between Corsica, Brittany and England, the Arkema Ocean Fifty indeed excelled in consistency in the various episodes of the Pro Sailing Tour 2022.
Whether in the inshore or offshore races, Quentin Vlamynck’s crew managed to win 14 of the 23 courses
Our goal was to do better than last year, so we’ve fulfilled our contract! It’s a great collective success”
“We really had excellent recruits, great multihull experts, and we progressed throughout the season. I’d like to thank all of the crewmates I’ve had over the years; with this mix of types and cultures, I’ve clearly been able to make progress on board. We now know the full potential of the boat. However, these crew experiences are really different from solo racing where you need to adopt another sailing pace. I now look forward to achieving great things in solo racing on board Arkema.”
Solo racing next!
So, the Pro Sailing Tour 2022 has ended here in Roscoff, and it is now as a solo sailor that Quentin Vlamynck will continue the season.
Starting next week, the Arkema skipper will be on the start line of the Drheam Cup between Cherbourg and La Trinité-sur-Mer; a major first for Quentin in an Ocean Fifty race, just a few months from the start of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe event.
“On Tuesday I’ll be sailing off in false solo mode heading for Cherbourg. The idea is to get my hands on the boat on my own before my very first Ocean Fifty solo competition. The goal of this event is especially to learn, keep on making progress, handle the boat solo, find answers to plenty of my questions, and above all qualify for the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe.”
The Arkema crew in the Final Rush of the Pro Sailing Tour
- Quentin Vlamynck: skipper-helmsman
- Mayeul Riffet: winchman/tactician
- Etienne Carra: winchman