Armel Le Cléac’h prepares for Route du Rhum

This Sunday, November 1st, Armel Le Cléac’h will be in Saint-Malo, ready to launch on the Route du Rhum, a prestigious transatlantic sailing race he has long dreamed of winning. Before returning to his boat, the Maxi Banque Populaire XI, he took some time to enjoy golf, a sport he has embraced over the past decade.

Golf enters his life

About ten years ago, Le Cléac’h first stepped onto a golf course during an open day in Bénodet, Finistère. At the Odet golf course, he discovered a new passion and began taking lessons to improve his skills. Since then, golf has become a regular part of his life, especially during the downtime between sailing competitions.

Similarities between sailing and golf

Le Cléac’h has become involved in golf not only because he enjoys the sport but also because he finds it familiar. Both sailing and golf require solitude, concentration, preparation, and strategy. He notes that the mental focus needed for a sailing maneuver mirrors the focus required for a golf shot.

Golf as a mental escape

For Le Cléac’h, golf is a place of solitude where he can make his own decisions, just as he does on his boat. Both environments are uncertain, and the need to make quick decisions and accept the consequences is similar. He appreciates how golf allows him to move on quickly after a bad shot, much like how a sailing mistake can be corrected.

Golf remains a part of his routine

Even as he prepares for the Route du Rhum, Le Cléac’h continues to play golf. A few days before arriving in Saint-Malo, he participated in the Trophée des Marins in Dinard, an event that fit well into his schedule. During the time spent in Saint-Malo with his team and boat, he still found time to play golf, using it as a way to relax and clear his mind.

Meeting golf professionals

Since starting to play golf, Le Cléac’h has had the chance to meet professional golfers, including Thomas Detry, Lee Westwood, and Martin Kaymer. He also played with former footballers like Antoine Kombouaré and Alain Roche. When asked about a course he would love to play, he mentioned Pebble Beach in the United States, drawn by the connection between golf and the sea.