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A winning trio reunited in new colors
Never change a winning team! After their victory in 2025, Yoann Houssais, Nicolas Jeanne, and Sylvain Lozier returned to the waters off La Rochelle with the goal of defending their title at the 2026 Grand Pavois Fishing tournament.
This latest participation also marked the beginning of a sports partnership between Mercury Marine France, Gemini, and Difama , a French importer of Gemini boats, all of which are powered exclusively by Mercury engines.
A partnership that combines an experienced crew, the performance of Gemini RIBs, and Mercury engines.
A tough first round
Starting Friday morning, the defending champions are banking on surface lure fishing, which proved particularly effective during their scouting trips.
But conditions have changed. In their fishing grounds, the sea has become very calm, making it harder to find sea bass. Despite catching their first undersized fish in a surf zone, bites are few and far between.
The change in strategy comes too late to reverse the trend. With only three fish recorded, Team Mercury-Gemini finished this first race in eighth place .
A great comeback in the second run
Determined to get back in the running for a podium finish, the three competitors stick with their surface lure strategy but choose a new area.
This time, the strategy is working perfectly. The quota is quickly reached, with an average size of 50.4 cm .
The crew then took one last chance by fishing an area with a current in hopes of improving their score. Despite their efforts, they were unable to catch the fish that would have made the difference.
In the overall standings, Yoann Houssais, Nicolas Jeanne, and Sylvain Lozier took fourth place, just five centimeters shy of the podium .
A frustrating outcome that brings to mind their recent appearance in a competition in Le Havre, where seven centimeters also cost them a spot in the top three.
Mercury and Gemini: A Promising Partnership
Beyond the sporting results, the 2026 event served to solidify the partnership between Mercury Marine France and Difama on the water.
Yoann Houssais was particularly enthusiastic about his new engine Mercury V6 150R , highlighting its responsiveness and how the Boost feature enhances acceleration.
The crew also thanked Patrick Ayroles, Étienne Ayroles, and Victor Jacquemard of Difama, as well as Yann Diquerreau of Mercury, for their support.
After a victory in 2025 and a fourth-place finish in 2026, The Mercury-Gemini Team continues to prove itself as a consistent contender among the top crews in boat-based sportfishing for sea bass . A new sports project to watch for in upcoming competitions.
