A sailing child and his passionate journey
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Ranked 12th in the international match-racing circuit, Damien Iehl is on the cutting edge of match racing sailing. At 31 years old, he serenely comes aboard on the China Team, with considerable experience, a sure talent and a strong human sense.
Thrown into the deep waters of sailing in his youth, he left with his parents to sail the Mediterranean for a year and a half. He wasn’t to leave sea afterwards. The route of a child sailor passed through Optimists, 420s, 470s, and then entered the (sailing) Tour de France; he then threw himself into match-racing and won the world championships at only 25 years old in 1997. He flirted with the America's Cup for the first time in 1999 as a young talent selected by framework of the YAKA FRANCE organization led by LE DEFI with the FFV to recruit a new generation of French sailors. He entered the DEFI for the first time in 2002 while sailing aboard FRA 79 in the Lorient, France. After a very good 2006 sailing season, he has just arrived in Valencia. Here is an interview with a young man overflowing with talent.
What is your state of mind as you enter this 32nd America's Cup?
I have matured with respect to 2000, I have thought about what I want to do with my life, passed my degree to become a coach because humanity and communication are what, along with the boat, are the domains which interest me the most. I approach this season with a certain slowdown due to last years racing but with a lot of energy having just finished a good match racing season. I am 12th in the world today. I feel good approaching the Cup. There are also, Mickaël Mergui and François Verdier who are my crewmembers in match racing and are part of the team as well. I am really lucky.
You sail generally on small boats, is the transition to the America’s Cup Class easy?
No, it is a long way from being obvious. The biggest difference is anticipation. The boat is heavy, big, and there are 17 on board. The anticipation level has to be much higher. But I still have a little bit of experience with the America's Cup Class. I sailed 7 or 8 months when I was in the Lorient (France) in 2002 as a genoa and spinnaker trimmer.
How are you going to work with the Chinese sailors?
I have good experience in pure match racing. I am going to maximize this approach in the tactics. We started last week on Bénéteau 7.50 s while waiting for CHN 95 to be ready and put emphasis on communication in the after guard. To encourage bringing out discussion is really important. To put in place effective communication, in function with the needs of each person, is a key element.
Which post will you fill while sailing?
I will most likely be the mainsail trimmer.
What is it you expect from the Cup?
I hope for strong cohesiveness, a good team, and that we can put together some really great matches. I also want to gain trimming experience close to the after guard. I hope one day to be a tactician or helmsman on an America’s Cup Class.
Fdb/Lh
What is your state of mind as you enter this 32nd America's Cup?
I have matured with respect to 2000, I have thought about what I want to do with my life, passed my degree to become a coach because humanity and communication are what, along with the boat, are the domains which interest me the most. I approach this season with a certain slowdown due to last years racing but with a lot of energy having just finished a good match racing season. I am 12th in the world today. I feel good approaching the Cup. There are also, Mickaël Mergui and François Verdier who are my crewmembers in match racing and are part of the team as well. I am really lucky.
You sail generally on small boats, is the transition to the America’s Cup Class easy?
No, it is a long way from being obvious. The biggest difference is anticipation. The boat is heavy, big, and there are 17 on board. The anticipation level has to be much higher. But I still have a little bit of experience with the America's Cup Class. I sailed 7 or 8 months when I was in the Lorient (France) in 2002 as a genoa and spinnaker trimmer.
How are you going to work with the Chinese sailors?
I have good experience in pure match racing. I am going to maximize this approach in the tactics. We started last week on Bénéteau 7.50 s while waiting for CHN 95 to be ready and put emphasis on communication in the after guard. To encourage bringing out discussion is really important. To put in place effective communication, in function with the needs of each person, is a key element.
Which post will you fill while sailing?
I will most likely be the mainsail trimmer.
What is it you expect from the Cup?
I hope for strong cohesiveness, a good team, and that we can put together some really great matches. I also want to gain trimming experience close to the after guard. I hope one day to be a tactician or helmsman on an America’s Cup Class.
Fdb/Lh