When Yann Rigal and Michel Quintin started sailing double-handed in 2020, Rigal had his reservations. “When Michel called me and asked, ‘Are you in?’ I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a bit crazy, but sure, let’s do it,’” Rigal recalled with a laugh.
After their first race together in challenging conditions, Rigal questioned whether they had taken on too much. “We had to call someone to help clean up the boat afterward because it was a complete mess, and we were just too exhausted,” he explained. “But now we can handle it. It feels good.”
On Boxing Day, the two French sailors, who are based in New Caledonia, will compete in the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in the Double Handed Division aboard the JPK 10.80 BCN–MY:NET (previously known as Banque de Nouvelle Caledonie and, before that, Courrier Leon).
From windsurfing champion to finishing second in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, Rigal and Quintin first crossed paths in 2015 while Rigal was scrubbing the yacht’s hull before its departure for the race. “I had no idea who Michel and his wife were,” Rigal recalled. “They were probably thinking, ‘Who is this crazy guy cleaning the boat at six o’clock in the morning?’”
That year, Quintin captained Courrier Leon, then owned by Gery Trentesaux, to a second-place finish overall, securing the win in Division 4. Quintin returned to the race in 2017, this time with Rigal as part of the crew, and they once again claimed victory in Division 4.
It seems that success is embedded in the yacht’s legacy; former owner Gery Trentesaux led the boat to an overall victory in the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Yacht Race.
“Michel always gives 100 percent when he’s on the boat,” Rigal remarked.
Rigal, the Navigator Offshore sailing didn’t come easily to Rigal at first. As a child, he sailed in the Optimist class in the warm waters of Tahiti. He later moved to France for his studies, where he became involved in offshore sailing. However, he missed the warm seas of his homeland.
“I didn’t really enjoy it [offshore sailing] at first because it was cold and challenging. Sleeping was the hardest part,” Rigal admitted.
With the support of his French mentors, he embraced the difficulties of the sport. His commitment deepened when he joined the Courrier Leon crew.
Double-Handed Dynamics In addition to providing Quintin with nourishing snacks during long hours at the helm, Rigal serves as the primary navigator on board BCN–MY:NET.
Quintin mentioned that participating in major sailing events together has allowed them to develop a natural rhythm. “We know each other and the boat very well,” he stated. “We’ve raced in the Rolex Sydney Hobart and the New Caledonia Groupama Race (654 nm) twice. While we’re not professionals, we understand the fundamentals.”
International Contingent: Among the 60-plus yachts already registered for the race, eight—including BCN – MY:NET—are from abroad, representing the USA, Poland, Germany, New Zealand, and Hong Kong. Additionally, Poulpito MLS-FCD from New Caledonia is returning for their third Hobart, having previously competed in 2022 and 2024.
The crew reported that the boat has recently undergone a minor refit and received thorough maintenance, including work on the rudder bearings. Most of Poulpito’s crew consists of sailors from New Caledonia, who sail together year-round. When asked about the experience of crossing the finish line in Hobart, they chuckled, recalling, “In the last race, we arrived at five o’clock in the morning, so it was quite quiet at the dock. This year, we aim to finish a bit later in the day, but the recovery drink will taste just as good upon our arrival.” Quintin and Rigal’s families will travel from New Caledonia and France to greet them at the finish line in Hobart.
“Hobart is incredible,” Rigal said. “We are very excited to share these wonderful moments with everyone after the race.”
Quintin, representing New Caledonia on the global stage, expressed his excitement about exploring the other double-handed entries. “Participating in the Sydney Hobart race is important for us. While we enjoy our beautiful lagoon in Noumea, we only have 15 or 20 boats here. In Sydney, we’ll be competing against experienced sailors,” he said. “We take great pride in representing New Caledonia in Australia, demonstrating that we are also skilled sailors. Even though we are far from many places, we are still performing well in our races.”
About the Author: Rolex Sydney Hobart
The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has established itself as a hallmark of Australia's summer sports scene, drawing public interest comparable to major national events like the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open tennis tournament, and the Boxing Day cricket test. No other annual yachting event worldwide garners as much media attention as the race's start in Sydney Harbour.
