Alexia Barrier, portrait of a Côte d’Azur sailor!

The sailor Alexia Barrier grew up in Nice on the Côte d’Azur. It was here that she discovered a passion for the sea, and for sailing. A passion that has now seen her able to take part in the Vendée Globe race for the first time

Alexia Barrier, a lover of the sea and of sailing!

“I started sailing at the age of 12.

My parents had a 6-metre sailboat moored in Antibes. On the weekends, we would regularly make the crossing to the Lérins islands. And when my father took part in corporate regattas, he took me on board with him and let me help in the manoeuvres. So I was already a lover of the sea and of sailing. It was only at the age of 25 that I started solo ocean racing, after being ranked 4th in the world in Match Racing at the age of 18.”

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#EN# LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE - OCTOBER 26: French skipper Alexia Barrier is training on TSE - 4myPlanet for the Vendee Globe sailing race off Les Sables d’Olonne, France, on October 26, 2020. (Photo by Vincent Curutchet/Alea) #FR# LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE - 26 OCTOBRE: La skipper francaise Alexia Barrier s’entraine à bord de TSE - 4myPlanet pour le Vendée Globe au large des Sables d’Olonne, le 26 Octobre 2020. (Photo Vincent Curutchet/Alea)
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Vincent Curutchet

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Une publication partagée par Alexia Barrier (@alexiasailingteam)

Why choose solo ocean racing?

“Ocean racing is also practised in pairs or teams.

But when you’re a woman, its fairly difficult to be part of team due to physical stature and strength.

Mentalities are beginning to change about this.

But at the time, my Match Racing team didn’t really have the desire to make this a career.

So, the only way for me to be able to race offshore was to go it alone.”

Where are your favourite places to sail on the Côte d’Azur?

“I particularly love the Bay of Antibes. The view there is fantastic. You can clearly see Fort Carré and the Picasso Museum, as well as the snow-capped mountains. The Antibes-Calvi route is also very nice for short training sessions. And every time, it reminds me of the speed record I won between Antibes and Calvi at the age of 23, while I was sailing as part of an all-female crew. But the Côte d’Azur has loads of other places, especially in the heart of the countryside, that I really love, and that also allow me to be in touch with nature and the elements. Like Valberg for example, where I go regularly to trail run.”

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