A disturbing disappearance
Laurent Bourgnon disappeared on June 24, while scuba diving at Toau Atoll, located near Fakarava, about 400 km from Tahiti in the Tuamotu archipelago. At the same time, his brother Yvan Bourgnon completed his round-the-world voyage on June 23. Upon learning of his brother's disappearance, he jumped on the first plane to French Polynesia. Yvan joined the authorities to take part in the search, aboard Jambo, his brother's catamaran.
Unsuccessful searches
After 5 days at sea, the authorities decided to stop the official search. Yvan, still convinced of his brother's ability to survive, decided to continue. On July 1st, he devoted one last day to search for his brother, but finally gave up "Obviously, six days of searching have yielded nothing. Day and night, off the coast, on the reef, in the lagoon, on the motu and up to 120 meters deep along the drop-off of this pass where everything was probably played out
A touching farewell
It is therefore with a heavy heart that Yvan stopped the research and posted a beautiful message on social networks. Love and pride, but also sadness, to pay a last tribute to his brother, and praise his talents as a sailor.
"We never knew how to tell each other that we loved each other, that we needed each other, yet we were in perfect communion. When we won races together, our movements were coordinated, we didn't need to talk: we had found our own magic potion. I know now where I got all this determination and unshakeable mind. You taught me everything and the day you knew that your brother had found harmony and success you made the choice to leave.
You have trained a whole generation of sailors and préparateurs with Thomas Coville and many others, but above all you have transcended us all. We didn't give a damn about our salary, rewarded by the joy of being part of your adventure. Learning from you was a privilege. You had your own fuel, a tasty mix of humanity and technical perfection that always amazed those around you... [âeuros¦]
However, when you came back to Polynesia eight years ago, you had finally decided to take some time with your family, to enjoy all that you had built with an amazing success: you were swimming in happiness with your loved ones. You were also swimming for your new passion that took you away forever, in your favorite atoll in the middle of the Otugi pass that you particularly liked.
But what about all the love we have for you? That of Lou, Basile, Justine, Jules, Caroline, our tender parents who gave us everything and all those who love you. I, who never knew such suffering in the past, you will have made me discover the one I was missing; but have you forgotten that we still need your love?
I love you bro, I promise to do everything I can to take care of our little family."
A tribute in Polynesia and in France
On Friday, July 10, a tribute will be paid to Laurent Bourgnon in Polynesia. All those who wish to come should bring flowers and will meet in Raiatea, at the Apoiiti marina. A tribute will also be organized in France at Coutainville in Basse-Normandie before the end of July.
