Team members: Marine Dorotte, Erwan Menard, Jacques Guegau, Tanguy Delamotte
Hometown: Mill Valley, CA, USA
Race vessel: Farrier F25C
LOA: 24′ 6″
Human propulsion: Row
Connect: facebook, instagram
Not to get all Noam Chomsky up in these traditional grazing areas of intellectually questionable bios, but language is like, a thing. Language shapes thought patterns, affects behavior, interplays with a culture’s traditions as they shape each other through time. The shape of language is a causal for human patterns of behavior.
Or something.
If there was a language that turned people into fanatical sailors, apparently it’s French. While the rare Golden Globe win might slip past them, French sailors are crazy good, dominate the offshore racing scene, and set a new speed record every other year or so. They’re so good at sailing that it makes us want to immerse ourselves so it might rub off, or at the very least act like we’ve just come back from study abroad to smoke cigarettes, work half weeks, and performatively keep talking about exactly how everything is better in “Fraunce.”
What is it about the French that is so, what’s the word in English . . . vibrant?
While the French may have no word for ambition, these four plucky sailors have it in spades. Why else would they cram into a 25’, carbon fiber trimaran, then fling themselves at rocket speeds into the driftwood-infested wilds of the remote Pacific Coast? These four Frenchies are showing up to the race with no rules, with hands down the fastest boat on the course. Que bueno.
We sat down with Marine of Team Mojo over a bowl of Duo Lingo to talk about je joue au tennis, mon anniversaire, and qui est la bibliothèque.
What are the necessary components of a good adventure?
Killer whale, grizzly? Good food, good music, good friends, a woman on board! Be ready for the unknown!
What’s your claim to fame?
We don’t have a claim to fame. Just enjoy the moment; life is for the living, so live it !!
It’s drizzling, freezing cold, and you’ve missed the tide. The cabin is leaky and the stove won’t light. How do you keep the good vibes going?
Billy (a 6 year old) instructed: “You make a video of yourself dancing with your favorite music,” so we will make sure to do so. We will also add a good laugh and some saucisson and candies!
Forget the 10k or the steak knives. What does success look like for you and your team?
Finish the Race and spread the word for two not-for-profits: SeaTrees and SR3 who protect our beloved oceans.
Defend your vessel. What makes it worthy?
She is beautiful; has 3 hulls that can be folded on a trailer, she is relatively fast, and can be driven from California to Washington and back from Alaska. Mojo Eskroin also has beautiful red bow sprits and rudder. For Jacques and Marine, it is the first boat they owned.
Blank space, baby. Share some things:
We are a 100% French team, US based who loves the Beatles and got the Mojo.
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Welcome to the Race to Alaska, Team Mojo. Remember, it’s only hypothermia if it’s from the Champagne region. Out here it’s just sparkling low body temperature.