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Ever since he began sailing at the Saint-Barth Yacht Club’s sailing school, Marvin Fébrissy Gréaux has had his sights set on the open sea. “Even before leaving the island and competing in the ILCA class, I already knew I didn’t want to pursue Olympic sailing but rather offshore racing,” confirms the young sailor. At just 17 years old, he is now on track to make his dream a reality: competing in the Transat Paprec in the mixed double-handed category aboard the Figaro Bénéteau provided by the territorial collectivity—Team StBarth.
“It’s been taking shape for about a year,” explains Marvin. “I started by having meetings with the CEM to discuss it, then with the Territorial Collectivity. After that, David Blanchard (territorial councilor in charge of sports) contacted me to say that I was likely the one who would be chosen for the 2027 Transat project. I received confirmation in April, and the boat arrived in June. So, throughout the year, I completed all the training I needed.”
His passion for offshore racing clearly took root while watching the Transat finishes in Saint Barth. “I don’t know what drew me to it,” the young sailor confides. “Just the idea of setting out, I suppose—to sail, the sport I love—and the fact that it takes place over several days. I find that more interesting than a short, one-day regatta. ” But before casting off from the port of Concarneau, Marvin Fébrissy Gréaux still has a few learning curves to navigate.
Two top sailors as teammates
Since August 23, the member of the La Rochelle Sailing Development Center has been competing in the first edition of the Aventura. This is a new event in the French Elite Offshore Racing Championship. Sailed as a double-handed race on a Figaro Bénéteau 3, it is officially part of the French Sailing Federation’s calendar. The first leg set sail from the Vendée port of Port-Bourgenay and finished in Lagos, Portugal—a 1,600-mile voyage in which twenty crews took part. Among them were Marvin Fébrissy Gréaux and his crewmate, Romen Richard, who is none other than the Figaro class coach in La Rochelle. Unfortunately for the two sailors, the race was far from easy.
Just a few minutes after the start, the Figaro Team StBarth was forced to turn back toward Port-Bourgenay after the mainsail tore. Thanks to the solidarity among the teams, Marvin and Romen were quickly able to set sail again after being loaned a new sail. “It was really cool that everyone helped us,” says Marvin, who is resting in Lagos while awaiting the second leg of L’Aventura, during which—flanked by a new crewmate (Benjamin Dutreux, sponsor of L’Aventura, 9th in the 2020/2021 Vendée Globe, 10th in the 2025 edition, 8th in the 2022 Route du Rhum…), he will set sail for Île d’Yeu. Hoping to make it all the way to the finish.
“Still a lot of work to do”
Marvin speaks enthusiastically about this new offshore experience. “The first morning, we had trouble handling a storm, and the gap was starting to widen with the leaders,” he recalls. “They were ahead, so they were always hitting the new winds before us. The gap kept widening; it was mentally tough, but for me it’s great training for the Transat. It’s been quite a few nights at sea, so it’s awesome! ” After suffering further damage, Marvin and Romen had to resign themselves to retiring and headed for Lagos without continuing the leg. The second leg will start this Sunday, September 6.
“Having Romen Richard and Benjamin Dutreux with me lets me learn a lot about the technical aspects of the Figaro and about the weather—it’s really interesting,” says Marvin. He’s aware, however, that he still has a lot to learn. “There’s still a lot of work to do—I’m realizing that,” he says with a laugh, citing weather concepts, maneuvers, and trim adjustments… “It’s the accumulation of details that allows us to sail faster than the others,” he emphasizes. And then there’s life on board, which is very unique. “I’ve noticed that I have trouble falling asleep, but when I do fall asleep, I sleep too deeply,” he adds.
While actively preparing for the 2027 edition of the Transat Paprec, Marvin, a recent high school graduate, will begin a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. At the same time, they’ll need to find a female sailor to complete Team StBarth’s mixed-gender duo.
Specialthanks to our sponsors
Marvin Fébrissy Gréaux extends his thanks to Super U, Établissement Hippolyte Lédée, Garage Henri Greaux, Good Deal Auto, Ouana Garden, new sponsor Daniel Moquet, as well as longtime sponsors Raymond Magras and Alma, who have supported him for three years, and a two-year partnership with the Caisse Locale du Crédit Agricole. “And, of course, the Collectivité, which is giving me this incredible opportunity to launch my offshore racing career,” he concludes.
