You have completed half of your journey and are back in Paris, why?
I have done half of it in number of stages, but not in distance since I am about to cover the longest ones [NDLR Reykjavik to Qaqortoq (787 mn) and Qaqortoq to St Anthony Port (649 mn)].
If I went back to France, it's because I met someone who sails in Iceland and we saw with a router that it was not possible to go to Greenland for the moment. So I put the boat in the marina with the batteries in charge to be able to leave quickly. I am looking for a good weather window that would allow me to leave, but I need 5/6 really good days. Once these two big stages are over, I will be less bothered in terms of weather.
I preferred to stay in Reykjavik and not to take the risk to continue my journey, because I could arrive on Friday morning in Greenland and the depression would arrive in the afternoon. It was too little and in any case I would have remained stuck in Greenland. But here, I was able to take the plane to France and come back easily if the weather allows it when I will leave for the 6th edition e step. I have to leave Reykjavik at the latest on August 15th. After that it will be too late because I have to go back to work in September.
On this stage, I will improve a little bit the route initially planned by passing in a channel âeuros the Sound âeuros that I had not seen before my departure and where I will be more sheltered if there is a little wind. I will also have to calculate the departure time from Reykjavik for the final phase: the last 10 hours must be done in daylight so that I can see the floating ice cubes.
If the weather window doesn't show up, what is the program?
For the moment, the weather window is not optimal and is far from becoming so. If it doesn't improve, I will go to Iceland to get the boat back and put it in a container, as I had to do from the United States.
There will be no other attempts this year since it is a crossing that can only be done in summer. So we will see âeuros in case my attempt fails âeuros if I try it next year or if I leave on another project.
What is your best memory?
The sunrises while sailing even if it is never completely dark since we are in the North. The nights are rather cool, even very cold, the landscapes and the lighting are absolutely magnificent. My encounters with dolphins are also very good memories.
What is your worst memory?
I think it's the cold, especially on the Brest-Dublin leg, where I wasn't equipped enough, I didn't wear the survival suit. It's an operation that you can't do at sea, there are many layers to put on, booties, boots, etc. But at the same time, you can't wear it. But at the same time, you can't wear it during the day, otherwise it's the sauna, it's a waterproof suit, made of neoprene. On the other hand, for the next stages I will put it, because in addition to the heat, it is also a combination which allows to hold longer if we fall in icy water, because it is waterproof.
In terms of the boat, your consumption, everything is going well?
I'm completely satisfied with the boat, but that's linked to the preparation. As far as fuel consumption is concerned, I am completely within the limits and I am very happy. In certain conditions, it's almost beyond my expectations.
It is also a human adventure? You meet nice people during your stopovers in the port?
I made a lot of contacts, people are lovely and help me when I arrive in port. I knew that it was not going to be so easy to get supplies and it was the case. Especially in Kirkwall, where the pump had disappeared for 4 years. With people helping me, I had to fill 650 L with 20 L cans and it took me one morning and one afternoon.
On the other hand, in the Faroe Islands (Thorshavn) I had a funny surprise. I was there on July 15 and 16 and I had not anticipated to arrive just before the massacre of the Grindadráp whales. I received a very cold welcome and I was watched the whole time I was there. The massacre took place the next day.
How do you manage physical fatigue?
I knew it was going to be extremely physical, but maybe not to that extent. The difficulty is especially the cold, at night, because it is very wet with dew. I also did some work on my cabin, because the dew sticks to the plastic sheets. For the stage between the Faroe Islands and Iceland, I had put on my survival suit and I was much less cold. I realize that you should not hesitate to equip yourself and adapt yourself as you go along to be warm. In the same way, it's important to eat and drink something warm every four hours. You can't wait to get cold.
As far as sleep is concerned, I don't sleep much, but it's okay.
