This will be your second participation in the Vendée Globe, why are you going back and what is your goal?
The desire is still intact compared to 2012. My collision with a trawler off the coast of Portugal in 2012 had quickly ended the race (after 4 days of racing). So it's already a good reason to do it again the Vendée Globe . It is a magical race that you may want to do several times: the ultimate goal is to finish it... And why not one day to win it.
I would also like to confirm - or not! - the fact of being able to stay so long alone. For me, it's the great unknown! I've never stayed so long in a solo race. Even if I think I will like it. Now there is the ambition to finish.
I have a boat that was built in 2006, designed for the 2008/2009 Vendée Globe. She is two generations older than the latest IMOCA boats. But she remains a good boat despite her age.
In the next edition of the Vendée Globe, ten or so boats from that era will be on the starting line. As a result, there will be a second race within the race with these boats, which are still quite close in terms of performance. My goal is also to shine in this match.
In your last Vendée Globe (2012), you were a rookie and the youngest competitor, with experience of the Imoca limited to a Transat Jacques Vabre and Transat B to B? What has changed on this 2 e edition?
Four years ago, I arrived very late in the race, I started training very late (one year before). For the 2016 Vendée Globe, I have been under contract with Bureau Vallée and Ecopartenaire for 3 years now. I have already raced two Jacques Vabre and one Route du Rhum with my boat. I have done three full seasons of sailing. I know it very well, which makes me quite serene in terms of my preparation. I have, like the whole team, a little more experience on what to do or not to do in terms of sailing preparation.
How did you prepare for the 2016 Vendée Globe?
I was lucky enough to do several seasons before the Vendée Globe. The first two seasons, we worked on the boat's performance and last year we worked mainly on reliability. As a result, there is a lot of technical preparation done, with the necessary hindsight.
The advantage of being able to do pre-season races and to be in a serene partnership is to be able to spend a lot of time sailing with the boat. To do races and transats. So to validate the solutions that work and put aside those that are not valid. I've been lucky enough to do that. The fact that I am the oldest skipper/boat combination to leave is a real advantage!
What is your biggest apprehension about this world tour?
It would be to have to give up because of a technical problem, a collision or some other damage like that. This race is unstoppable: you have absolutely no right to stop or ask for assistance.
How do we manage the family separation for 3 months?
I will exchange messages with my children. I intend to show them "positive" videos. Images of good weather, not storms, because they are small (Editor's note: Louis Burton has 2 children). We made an agreement with their school, which wants to follow the race, so that there is an official communication in the classroom and that it is rather positive.
Do you bring a grigri or an unusual object?
I take my father's navy knife with which he had made all his transats, I always knew it on him and it symbolizes wisdom, knowledge, safetyâeuros¦
When you have the blues, how do you cheer yourself up?
Already resting, if we can do it, it's not bad. And communicate with the earth, exchange emails. Having news from the earth makes me feel good. I have a lot of exchanges with my brother and a few friends who send me crap by email. We communicate a little bit with the other skippers, but it's not much.
How many days of food do you plan to eat? Are you bringing something specific that you love?
I have planned 90 days of food. Otherwise I take along quite a bit of candy. CÃ'té plaisir, I donâ??t bring food, butâeuros¦ cigars! I have one for each of the capes I will pass and I will take a picture of myself with it.
Are there any moments of relaxation and how are they occupied?
I listen to music because it doesn't stop me from doing what I have to do on board and sailing. After the transatlantic races, I never had much time to relax. In the Vendée Globe, I don't really know how things will go. I'm taking along a lot of music and two or three books. But I imagine that if we're in the game, we shouldn't have too much time for all that. Otherwise, we're a bit out of it.
Will you be able to sleep? Is this something you practice?
We can sleep up to 2 hours in a row when conditions are stable. Ideally, I aim to sleep 5 to 6 hours per 24 hours. In reality, it depends so much on the conditions encountered.
We learn how to fall asleep and wake up quickly with relaxation techniques. I also studied my sleep cycles so I don't go into deep sleep. But I don't train myself in advance to sleep in a jerky fashion.
Do you get seasick and how do you manage it?
I'm lucky enough not to be seasick at the moment. I always try to eat well, not to be cold, but I am not too prone to seasickness.
