Tim DARNI
Sailor

Tim received a grant to help him participate in the Mini Transat 2021 competition

What is your sporting background?
I’ve been sailing since I was young, and I started competing at 18 after passing my Baccalauréat. My passion for this sport and my investment in what I do allowed me to participate in several races in Class40 and in particular in the Transat Jacques Vabre, at only 19 years of age (youngest competitor of the event in 2013). Then a personal encounter and a crucial meeting led me to become a crew member on board the Multi 50 Olmix. I participated in major events such as the Carribean600 or the Record SNSM, alongside experienced sailors. After these rich experiences, I started my first solo races on a Mini 6.50, which took me from Spain to Ireland. That’s how I managed to qualify for the Mini Transat which took place in September 2021. It was my 4th Atlantic crossing but my very first solo race.

How do you view your profession today?
The sport I practice, ocean racing, is booming. The dream that can be conveyed by sailing the oceans is colossal and the similarities between my sports project and corporate life are numerous, which attracts the curiosity of more and more people. It allows me to share what I do, and it is very enriching personally and professionally. Technologically speaking, I find it exciting because it evolves very quickly, and I learn new things every day. I think there are still many great stories to be written about ocean racing, and I hope to be the author of some of them.

How do you see yourself in five years? in 10 years?
In five years, I would like to have been able to participate in the Vendée Globe. It is really the goal of my sporting career. Doing this single-handed round the world race for the first time and completing it would be a great way to develop over the next five years. In the longer term, in 10 years, I would say that having the sporting and financial means to win the Vendée Globe, during a second participation, would be a dream. But I know that you have to go step by step, so even if I often dream about what I would like to achieve, I remain focused on my short-term goals.

This interview was conducted in 2021
Photography credit: Julia Grandperret