“Adults don’t really exist; it’s an attitude. We never stop chasing the dreams we had when we were children.”

These are the words of Xavier and Grégoire, two participants in the 2024 Transquadra sailing race. They chose to take part in the competition while representing Enfants d’Asie.

Xavier is the son and grandson of sailors, a father, and an associate director at a digital company in Paris. His life has always revolved around sailing, which is both a passion and a way of life for him—free and unconstrained. Grégoire is a business director and father who also developed his interest in the maritime world with his father and grandfather. In 2023, Xavier and Grégoire acquired the boat Champagne to take part in the Transquadra.

Beyond the purely nautical goal, the two competitors chose to support the Enfants d’Asie association because, in their view, it embodies “the values of solidarity, courage, and mutual aid inherent to sailing and the maritime world, while contributing to the education and protection of disadvantaged children in Asia.” This initiative adds a humanitarian dimension to Xavier and Grégoire’s sporting adventure, while raising awareness among a wide audience about supporting underprivileged children and protecting children’s rights.

You can make a donation or share Xavier and Grégoire’s fundraising page to help support the work of Enfants d’Asie. Every contribution counts and helps us fund our programs for disadvantaged children in Southeast Asia!

For the 2024 Transquadra, Xavier and Grégoire will cross the Atlantic aboard their boat Champagne, from France to Martinique via the volcanic Madeira archipelago. This competition has been held for thirty years and consists of two stages. The first stage began on July 7 in La Turballe, Guérande. The Atlantic Fleet, which includes the Champagne crew, covered approximately 1,200 nautical miles, or 2,000 km.

The second stage will take place in February 2025. The boats from the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets that arrived in July will depart from Madeira to begin the Atlantic crossing, heading to Fort-de-France for approximately 3,000 nautical miles (5,500 km). The race, boat positions, and rankings can be tracked in real time using GPS beacons installed on the boats, which are viewable on the Transquadra website’s interactive map.

We had the pleasure of following the first stage of Champagne to Madeira. Arriving on Tuesday, July 16, the journey was a unique experience for our two participants! They also faced numerous challenges at sea. Between unpredictable weather, gusts reaching nearly 100 km/h, and restless nights, Xavier and Grégoire managed to keep their spirits up and fully enjoy this unforgettable experience. Well done!

We look forward to seeing you in February 2025 for the second stage of the Transquadra!

Also, check out the interview conducted before their departure by Thierry and Patricia, Regional Correspondents for Enfants d’Asie:

Finally, while waiting for the second stage, we invite you to support their initiative by making a donation or sharing their fundraising page. All donations will go entirely to Enfants d’Asie to support projects on the ground. You will also benefit from a 66% tax deduction.