« Looking for people for hazardous travels. No pay. Spartan life, hard work and ruthless crew, commitment and courtesy required. Recruitment severe and non-inclusive. Priority given to social or physical misfits. Normal people should refrain from applying. Honour and recognition guaranteed in case of success ».
[video_lightbox_vimeo5 video_id=76693988 width=800 height=480 anchor=https://www.teamjolokia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/video-recruit1.jpg]
A selection open to all
Each year, Team Jolokia selects a crew of volunteers primarily on their commitment without forgetting their athletic abilities. Their potential is as important as their skills: all profiles are considered in order to enrich the team. Novice or experienced skipper, disabled, female, senior… everyone has a chance to embark on this human adventure. The selections are open to all and consist of a three phases process:
– a pre-selection on the application, to be filed on the team’s website.
– a two day trial during which there will be interviews, nautical knowledge and physical tests (beginning of 2014 in Paris).
– and sea trials onboard the VOR 60 (beginning of 2014 in Lorient, home port of the boat).
2013, a really promising season
In 2013 the crew has participated in fives races in a few months span, including the prestigious Rolex Fastnet Race (8th out of 16 in class). This unusual and non-professional crew is unique in this type of competition and on this type of boat. They stood up to professional teams and shattered the preconceptions that we have regarding diversity and performance. “This first season was a true success for Team Jolokia. The work has been intense and the Team can be proud of the progress made” states Eric Bellion, founder of the project with Pierre Meisel. “On one hand, we have earned the trust of important and involved partners: Sopra Group, TF1 Foundation, Lafarge and of our loyal patron Gonzague de Blignières. And on the other hand we have set out solid cornerstones in terms of communication and in our social and managerial research led by the Team’s lab. Personally, I will remember this year for the immense pleasure I had sharing the life of this uncommon team.”
What about 2014?
« A year of changes and outlooks », states Eric. « 2014 will see a new development for Team Jolokia, with the new crewmembers and a new skipper. I am indeed happy to let Pierre replace me as both the skipper and the project manager. But while I will not be onboard anymore, I will however still be involved to help the Team . Judging by the look on the face of some of our competitors after the Rolex Fastnet Race, I am sure that Team Jolokia will keep on leaving a permanent wake”. In the next season Team Jolokia will participate in famous races on the Atlantic coast (Armen Race, Record SNSM,…), in Europe (Round Ireland Race) and in the Mediterranean (Round Corsica Race, Middle Sea Race). Nice challenges for the future crew!
To file an application : https://www.teamjolokia.com/dossier-de-candidature/
Video : Thanks to Sulaiman Almanji, Lina Bouledroua, Conrad Colman, Robert Iseni, Gérard Janichon, and Capucine Trochet.
