What is your state of mind with 45 days to go?
I'm leaving in good conditions. Even if I have sailed less than 4 years ago, this does not penalize me, because I know this type of boat well and I do not feel frustrated. But I am happy to have completed my budget with the arrival of La Mie Caline as my main partner.
What are your sporting ambitions?
Of course, I want to finish this Vendée Globe ! But to finish is not a trivial matter. If you finish cleanly, you have every chance of making a good score. Finishing is THE issue for all the racers. Even Alex Thomson said so at the last press conference. After that, I would like to finish in the top 10, that would be great!
Are you more comfortable financially than for your previous editions?
Yes and no! In the end, I don't have a bigger budget than in the previous edition. I have the same boat and the same budget. I only managed to complete my budget late this winter. The arrival of La Mie Caline required a lot of energy to explain to the 35 other partners that I still needed them.
If I have my budget together, I am still a small team. I currently have 3 preppers. And I only had 2 until the end of January 2016.
What feedback do your partners ask you for?
Sponsorship is changing. It is no longer enough to make "noise". The skipper has a commitment with the companies. He must invest himself. For example, today, I am doing sea trips with 40 employees of partner companies. At the time of departure, I will have 380 people, customers or employees, who will have come to sail on board. For the partners, in addition to the return of their company's image, the logos on the hull or the sails, they also use the project for internal communication with their employees and external communication by proposing sailing trips with their customers.
