Young Guns on the Rise: Thomas Proust
Images Eric Proust / F16 Europeans. In the past we’ve followed Henri Demesmaeker’s career since he was a kid and now we are lucky to see the rising of talented French sailor, Thomas Proust.
Having his father Eric working the in the catamaran business surely helps, also crewing for Thomas is an excellent experience for both but the kid’s talent continues to shine on its own.
This past weekend Thomas & Eric finished in second place at competitive F16 Europeans, scoring bullets and putting high pressure to the final winners.
Last year father & son won the Armistice Regatta at Bordeaux and finished second at the 2017 Euros too.
A few months ago Thomas sailing with Martineau Clement finished 3rd overall at the first Nacra 15 Class Worlds, and winning the U16 division, racing against all U19 in the top ten and the former wonder kid Henry Demesmaeker, who went winning the event.
The highlights for Thomas & Martineau were not those mentioned aspects though, but how they scored 6 bullets out of 10 races.
Serious talent , and a bright future for Thomas Proust.
Below some words on Thomas from his father Eric:
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“Thomas Proust is a very young rider, we cannot stop him anymore. This year he was crowned World Champion U16 Nacra 15, 2nd in the National Cup F16 and winner of the National Viper and this week 2nd European Champion of Formula 16 with dad in the Netherlands.
From the top of his 11 spring, Thomas Proust is always smiling. In Barcelona, at the end of April, he and his teammate Clement Martineau won the Nacra 15 World Championship title. “We were going to evaluate our level,” said Thomas before the regatta.
But now … At the end of the first day of the event, the U16 crew is leading the general, “We had fun, and we did what we knew to do. And the result just fell in place”.. summarizes the new Under 16 world champion and 3rd (under 19) all ages.
Thomas’s family is a family of sailors (both cruising and regatta), dad champion catamaran and professional runner for many years, Thomas fell into the sport when he was 5 years old.
At 7, he start sailing catamarans. “So this is my fourth year on a catamaran and I’m happy with the results,” says Thomas…! (Ed: well you better be kid!)
School studies are going well. ” I am in sixth grade. It is necessary to carry out the studies and the boats in both fronts. It’s not that simple every day routine” .. Thomas admits, who must make up the homework due to his school absences due to regatta attendance.
“The near future is to continue to have fun while sailing in foiling with my Moth and competing in foiling catamarans as well. “
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