Until now, his sailing grounds had been limited to the waters around La Rochelle and southern Brittany. To take things to the next level, Lionel opted for a catamaran, mainly for its comfort and sociable layout. "I have five children and two grandchildren. When it comes to having family or friends aboard, it's definitely more convenient!" As for the choice of the Lagoon 42, it came quite naturally through the Grassi shipyard, which had already been maintaining his previous sailboat.
The next decision was how to cross the Atlantic. Lionel was familiar with the ARC and ARC+, but ultimately the Rallye des Îles du Soleil won him over. "There aren't many boats, and above all, we're really well supported."
That support was a decisive factor for him: medical checks, safety equipment inspections, tracking beacons, daily weather files and routing advice. "If we're heading in the wrong direction, they tell us!"
For his first major ocean crossing, Lionel is therefore choosing peace of mind over going it alone. A wonderful way to turn a long-cherished dream into reality, with the Atlantic stretching out ahead of Snoops' bows!
