Consitency the key to Biotherm's dominance

Having secured overall victory even before Saturday’s Boka Bay Coastal Race, here’s a look at the multiple factors that enabled their success.

It’s become a familiar sight: the Biotherm crew celebrating at the finish, smiling faces on deck, and the little blue boat topping the tracker. This complete domination is perhaps best summed up by their rivals:

“They’ve delivered a masterclass from start to finish,” said Corentin Horeau. “A superb performance,” added Boris Herrmann (Team Malizia). “They were faster and smarter with their strategy.” Thomas Ruyant (Allagrande Mapei Racing) went further: “They were just on another level – the right crew, the right boat, the right game plan.”

Earlier, as he reflected on the campaign, Paul Meilhat was quick to point out that this victory was “the result of a multitude of factors.” Here are some of them.

A Clear Objective from Day One

“I was hugely motivated by this race - The Ocean Race Europe,” Paul explained. “I really wanted to win it – but what was amazing is that the whole team shared that same drive.”

Co-skipper Amélie Grassi echoed the sentiment: “Even if we didn’t expect this kind of dominance, we definitely came here to win.”

From the start of the season, The Ocean Race Europe was the team’s number one goal, and Biotherm chose not to compete in the Transat Café L’Or this autumn to stay fully focused.

The campaign was carefully planned for maximum performance. The boat was relaunched later in the season to allow the team some well-deserved rest after Paul’s fifth place in the Vendée Globe. The crew also trained in Sweden before heading to Kiel, taking time to get familiar with the Baltic and hit the ground running when the race began.

A Boat Made for This Course

If Biotherm seemed 'a step ahead' (as Pascal Bidégorry of Paprec Arkéa put it), it was also thanks to a boat perfectly suited to the conditions. The Verdier-designed IMOCA, launched in 2022, proved agile and quick in the light airs and flat seas encountered on the route.

“Our boat is really designed for this type of racing,” Meilhat says unapologetically. “It’s very fast in transitions, in light winds, on flat water.”

In contrast, the Koch designs (Paprec Arkéa, Allagrande Mapei Racing) had fewer chances to shine, with relatively few long downwind legs over the course.

A Winning Mindset

“What’s amazing is that even when they rotated crew, the energy and the spirit on board stayed exactly the same,” said Corentin Horeau.

“It’s true we had a great dynamic and good energy on board,” said Amélie Grassi. “That allowed us to make decisions calmly and with confidence.”

This mindset, inspired by Paul Meilhat, made the difference. “He always strikes the right balance between discussion and making a clear call when it’s needed,” explained Sam Goodchild in Cartagena.

“You trust him immediately, which makes you trust yourself – and everything clicks,” added Benjamin Ferré.

Jack Bouttell and Carlos Manera also played key roles in the collective effort.

“We’re building strong bonds – we’re becoming friends,” Amélie confided after one finish.

Relentless Consistency

The cohesion on board and the boat’s efficiency meant Biotherm spent most of the race at the front. The crew won four of the five scoring gates, leading at all the coastal gates except for Sardinia, where Paprec Arkéa briefly overtook them in the final leg.

And of course, by winning four of the five offshore legs, Biotherm maximized their points haul.

But what really stood out was their persistence and consistency – staying calm under pressure and seizing every opportunity to take, or retake, the lead when it was available.

To the point that even before they reached Boka Bay, the team had fully seized control of the leaderboard and never let go.

Out of a possible 52 points, Biotherm collected 48 – a clear sign of their supremacy.

Shared Experience

The strength of the project goes beyond the sailors on board. Paul has built a cohesive and highly effective team, and the boat reached the finish without major damage, 'working perfectly' as Meilhat put it.

This ability to get the best from his boat – already seen in the Vendée Globe – shows the professionalism and experience of the entire team Meilhat has assembled - on and off the water.

Their participation in The Ocean Race 2022-23 (finishing third) was a key shared experience that also helped them level up.

“Even though we have great memories, it was tough for us,” Paul said. “We had technical problems and we were discovering everything - the crew, the race, the organisation. Everything we learned then is helping us today to be calmer, more efficient, and more focused on what matters.”

The result is a team that is aligned and determined. “Now everyone is heading in the same direction,” Meilhat said.

Biotherm’s victory in The Ocean Race Europe, already secure ahead of the final coastal race, naturally opens doors for the future. Before the start in August, Paul Meilhat had reminded everyone that their partnership with Biotherm runs until the end of this year:

“Our goal is to be back for The Ocean Race,” he said at the time.

Thanks to this summer triumph, the team has the perfect springboard to look ahead with confidence.