Believe in your dreams and do everything you can to achieve them. The destiny of this engaging and voluble Belgian gives the impression that nothing is impossible. Polyglot (he speaks three languages), company founder, journalist... Denis had several lives before persevering with ocean racing, when the Mini-Transat acted as a revelation. The Belgian then progressed in ocean racing, notably in the Class40 class, before launching his IMOCA adventure. He has now clocked up over 80,000 miles and is patiently working towards his number one goal: taking part in the Vendée Globe.
The aim is to finish, to go all the way. This race is particularly important for me in terms of qualifying for the Vendée Globe. I wasn't able to finish the Route du Rhum, so I have to do it this time. It's going to be a particularly interesting race, especially as a lot of the skippers still have to secure their qualification for the Vendée Globe. What's not so easy is leaving the warm conditions of the tropics to come back in the cold, upwind and reaching... We're going to have to replace our T-shirts and caps with foulies and fleeces!
I find that switching from one to the other is quite natural. When you're double-handed, you're generally in a 'false solo' situation, so you're already alone on the boat! The only big difference is that you can sleep more easily and for longer when you're double-handed. On your own, you have to stay awake all the time, even when you're resting. And the physical effort is a bit more in the columns!
First and foremost, I'm going to get plenty of sleep. And then I'll go and eat in a restaurant and have a few good beers! I'm lucky enough that some of the team are coming to Martinique to look after the boat and that's going to allow us all to enjoy ourselves together!
2023
Rolex Fastnet Race - 27e
2022
Vendée Arctique - ABD
Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 21e
2021
Transat Jacques Vabre - 19e
2019
Bermudes 1000 - 17e
2013
Transat Jacques Vabre - 16e
2012
Transat Québec - Saint Malo - 19e
2011
Les Sables - Horta - Les Sables - 12e
2010
La Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale - 39e
2001
Mini Transat
Name : D’IETEREN GROUP
Architect : Nándor Fa & Attila Déry - Hungary
Building : 2013, Pauger Carbon Ltd, Hongrie
Launching : 2013
Old names : Spirit Of Hungary, Laboratoire de Biarritz
Lenght : 18,28m
Beam : 5,65m
Draught : 4,50m
Weight : NC
Mast height : 29m
Mast type : NC
Foils : no
Upwind : NC
Downwind : NC
D’IETERENGROUP
