Portraits of Our Community: Victor David, Class of 2015

This week, as part of our series, "Oui" are the Lycée: Portraits of our Community, we are delighted to learn more about Victor David, an LFC alumni from the class of 2015. French and German, Victor joined the Lycée in 2013 as a junior. He is currently preparing for a solo-sailing race across the Atlantic in 2025.

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Tell us about yourself.

After graduating from the LFC, I moved to Germany to study engineering with the dream of one day becoming an airline pilot. After two years, I got selected for a dual-degree program that would take me to the École Centrale de Nantes for two years before eventually returning to Germany. It was in Nantes that I discovered what would eventually become my passion and lead to my new dream: offshore racing! Instead of aeronautics, my passion was now directed towards nautical engineering. I took as many courses as possible in that field and, in my free time, I discovered the world of competitive sailing. One day, on the pontoons, I heard about this mythical race: the Mini Transat. I instantly knew I had found my new dream... 

Why was the LFC a good fit for you/your family?

LFC taught me not to set any limits. I've always been a dreamer and I get very passionate (maybe even too passionate) about something very quickly. Thanks to my high school years, I realized that I could aspire to be anything I wanted to be if I put enough commitment into it. Seeing my classmates pursue all these different paths inspired me a lot, and it's still fascinating today to discover what some of them have managed to build up to since the year we graduated. Without the education we received at LFC, I don't think we would have had the same tools to do that.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise our readers.

For over a year, I've been preparing for a solo sailing race across the Atlantic. This race is called the Mini Transat 2025 and it's being held using the world's smallest ocean-racing boats: the Mini 6.50. Almost every Vendée Globe sailor has done this race at least once. It is often described as the gateway to ocean racing. To be ready in 2025, I train regularly in La Rochelle. I'm also taking part in several races to maximize my chances of qualifying for the Mini Transat and gain as much experience as possible. This year, the race calendar will take me to Ireland, around Brittany and even as far as the Azores!

Today, despite my job as an engineer, I live for this project. I think about it when I sleep, I think about it when I eat and I think about it when I have a drink with friends. By Monday morning, all I want to do is get back on the water and get my little boat ready for the big race. Unfortunately, this project also involves major costs: optimizing the boat, making new sails, registering for races… the list goes on and on...I'm currently looking for partners willing to help me achieve my dream. 

Also, if you're ever in La Rochelle, I'd be more than happy to show you around in my little 20-foot-long sailing rocket! 

* Note: If you are interested in being featured in the "Oui" are the Lycée: Portraits of our Community series, please contact communications@lyceechicago.org.