Thomas Proust

At almost 16 years old, the young sailor from La Rochelle has already won 4 world titles on several different boats. From now on he will sail in a mixed crew with Eloise Clabon on a Nacra 17 catamaran. He dreams of the Olympic Games. “Three or four times, I don’t know…. At only 15 years old, Thomas Proust travels the seas and oceans and already no longer counts the titles of world champion. It's not out of bravado or false modesty, because the young prodigy of French sailing is simple and natural, humble and radiant. "I sail for pleasure, "it's always a pleasure to win, but some titles have been easier than others to win. » World title at 11 years old So let's calculate for him. Thomas, who discovered the Optimist at the age of 5, in Angoulins, with Eric, his father, a former F18 world champion, won the world title four times. The first time at only 11 years old, on a Nacra type catamaran, in the U16 category, crewed with Clément Martineau. "From the start, I had a good feeling with the speed and the ability to accelerate the boat", explains this fan of wing foil, who was also twice European vice-champion, at 10 and 11 years old, in F16, associated with his father on the family boat. Since then, he has accumulated titles in several boat categories and with different crew members. The year 2021 was remarkable since he won the French National, the European Championship, and the Youth World Championship in Nacra 15, the equivalent of the Youth Olympic Games, associated with Éloise Clabon. But the exceptional becomes almost banal since 2022 has seen new titles expand the prize list of the young sailor licensed in La Rochelle Nautique and member of the Pôle France des Minimes. He became F16 world champion with Clément Martineau, and U19 world champion in Nacra 15 with Éloïse Clabon on Lake Garda, Italy. The trips follow one another, the objectives are high and the studies difficult to carry out, even with arranged schedules. “I was absent the last quarter because of events and competitions. I repeat my second, but taking correspondence courses. I just need a good internet connection. From now on, the Olympic horizon is opening up. Thomas and Éloïse have been teammates for two years and have moved to Nacra 17, a modern and invigorating catamaran, which a coach from the French sailing team describes as a hybrid of skateboarding, surfing, 49er and windsurfing. “A boat that flies! » The Nacra 17, whose crew is mixed, requires great collaboration, versatility, agility and responsiveness. It takes a lot of practice and stamina to use it to its full potential. "It's a heavier, more powerful boat that flies over the water!" “, rejoices Thomas Proust. The stated goal is the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. “We don't have enough size yet. With Eloise, we weigh 120 kilos, we should exceed 130 kilos. 2028 may seem far away, but it will take hours of physical preparation and racing to perform” explains Thomas. The Proust and Clabon families financed the purchase of a Nacra 17 for 40,000 euros. They are looking for partners to support them. Laurent Bourgoin