F-One team: Incredible SUP foil downwinder
Julien and Raphaël Salles, the F-One founder and his son, did not hesitate when the conditions and the weather forecast in the Gulf of Lyon were perfect for the 200 km SUP foil run in the Mediterranean.
205.58 kilometres and 9 hours 48 minutes, including 8 hours 45 minutes on the foil.
The father and son duo are already addicted to downwinders and both wanted to challenge themselves. The aim was to travel from Frontignan to the island of Porquerolles near Hyères, a nautical distance of over 200 kilometres.
Jules Chollet, a member of the R&D team and professional driver, had already paved the way for this crossing a few months ago by driving from Frontignan to Six-Four-les-Plages.
More information here: https://www.f-one.world/news/foil/la-diagonale-du-lion/
They both started with an F-One Seven Seas 1200 cm², which was perfect for these waves between 0.7 and 1.2 metres and to save energy for the tougher conditions they knew were to come. Once the wave got bigger, they switched to an EAGLE 990 cm² and stuck with it for the rest of the day as it gave them comfort and speed regardless of the conditions.
While Julien completed the entire route, his father Raphaël opted to ride in smaller sections. In the end, he did three runs of around 1h30 and over 30 kilometres each.
Julien passed his first major test near Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, just before Fos-sur-Mer and at around kilometre 100. The wind shifted to the north and averaged 30 to 40 knots at an angle to the shore for several hours, while the westerly swell increased. He had a difficult few hours before reaching Marseille. He suffered from calf cramps and tried to stay on his foil. Exhausted, he even thought about giving up. Fortunately, after a short break, the wind finally changed direction and brought much relief.
Raphaël accompanied Julien again on his third and final run between Marseille and La Ciotat. The conditions had calmed down a little and he admitted that this was probably his most enjoyable run of all.
He reached a top speed of 20.5 knots and was able to stay in control the whole time - just enjoying the thrill of speed and the rolling waves.
But the next difficult passage came around Cap Sicié, where the treacherous swell combined with incredibly strong winds blowing well over 45 knots, sometimes reaching 57 knots, seemed straight out of Dante's imagination. The next few hours seemed endless, but he fought his way through.
"The first 100 kilometres were a real pleasure," said Julien. "It was an easy and enjoyable run; I could have gone on for a long time without problems like this. The swell off Fos and Cap Sicié really affected me both mentally and physically. When the conditions work against you, it discourages you completely. But from Fos onwards, I fell into a kind of trance, a state of flowing to the end. It was something very special and I found it hard to get out of it until the harbour."
"It was great to share this with good friends and especially my dad, who was able to ride alongside me for 90 kilometres"
The sea became fantastic again after Cap Sicié with wind and waves that helped Julien to finish his "Diagonale du Lion" in fantastic conditions. With an average speed of 12.7 knots, he arrived in Porquerolles shortly before 19:00 with the rest of the team, exhausted, relieved and euphoric. His downwind took a total of 205.58 kilometres and 9 hours 48 minutes, including 8 hours 45 minutes on the foil.
"It was great to share this with good friends and especially my father, who was able to ride alongside me for 90 kilometres," said Julien. "It's an adventure that I will always remember with great emotion."
This is the second time that members of our research and development team have exceeded the 200 km mark on a Downwind.
Disclaimer: These downwinders were conducted by professional drivers. Long distance crossings require physical preparation, proper safety equipment and assistance at sea. Please do not attempt downwinders without proper training.
