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He won from more than 10,000 applicants all Virtual Regatta players. Initially ten were selected by a jury and the public. At the end of short list practical trials in Normandy last May, Basile Buisson, 33, emerged as the winner. “It’s a challenge that promises to be incredible and one that I’m obviously a little apprehensive about,” said the Merchant Navy officer. Passionate about the ocean, he regularly sails on a J/70 and discovered Virtual Regatta during a Vendée Globe.
From virtual to real
A new duo in Class40
He will sail with Kieran Le Borgne, 26 years old, who is world level kitesurfer. “I’m very happy because I found my co-skipper,” smiles Le Borgne. “It’s a big challenge but it’s very rewarding.”
Le Borgne from Brittany has two transatlantic races under his belt: the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre (2021) and the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe (2022).
For the last five month they have been training, getting ready to face the great thrill of a transatlantic race, start to finish.
Bringing the general public on board
Basile and Kieran regularly share their adventures on social networks and already benefit from a huge support. Among them, their godfather is Vincent Riou, twice winner of the transatlantic race twice (2013, 2015) and who is trying his luck again this year, also in Class 40.
The duo have a funding pool to finance themselves which allows contributors to experience, in turn, like Basile, a little of the magic of this legendary race.
