Anticipate to avoid accidents
Being alone around the world for more than two months is a physical and moral challenge. But it is even more so when the skippers have to steer their very demanding boats. And what can we say about these new hydrofoil boats that are particularly hard to live with, and their violent movements. With the hollows of the sea and the "slopes", waves that make you jump even when sitting in the cockpit, the skippers sail in discomfort. And still, they are protected by the cap of the tons of water capable of ejecting you against the lines with impressive force. The term submarine or washing machine is not overrated.
"As soon as there is a sea, the boat hits a lot, it's hard to stand, it can be violent. You have to take this into account. You have to anticipate and protect yourself explains Armel Le Cléac'h.
It is therefore necessary to anticipate so that a maneuver does not turn into a disaster and avoid getting hurt, as explained by Jean-Yves Chauve, the race doctor, who has been serving solo sailors on the Figaro circuit or in the Vendée Globe for 30 years and is a former emergency doctor in Saint-Nazaire.
"There is an accident because you did not anticipate a movement of the boat, you missed a catch, the risk is to be thrown inside or in the cockpit of the boat. A sudden deceleration can result in a fracture, like Yann Eliès in 2008."
Even more risks on the foilers
On IMOCA boats with foils, the risk is even greater. The foils allow the boat to be supported, but as soon as the sea is rough, and the boat is going fast, it can accelerate and decelerate in a few seconds. These maneuvers force the sailors to constantly hold on tight and to evolve on all fours, protected by suits reinforced at the knees and elbows.
"I have a big mattress, pads. I have knee pads, reinforced pants. With the foiler, there are going to be injuries that we didn't know about before. There will be traumas like broken ribs or clavicles, bruises." explains Sébastien Josse.
For his part, Jean-Pierre Dick, like other sailors, is wearing a rugby helmet for the rough sea and wind conditions.
"The boat is going faster, it accelerates faster, and decelerates harder too. The foils generate additional power to the platform, so inevitably there is more load on the rigging, especially on the winches. Border a sail, it is more difficult and as the boat goes faster, the shocks are more consistent. Displacements are difficult, the appendages in the water make a lot of noise. It is not very funâ?¦ You have to be aware that it is not pleasant to sail. They are boats of pain. You just have to be able to live with it for a few weeks or months. Handrails in the right places are essential. Whether the boat is going at 20 or 25 knots, when you break your face, it hurts. There are times when you have to put on your helmet, times when you have to strap yourself in. We have continued to go in the direction of boats that are difficult to steer. This is not new, but they are even more so explains Jeremie Beyou, skipper of Maître Coq, a hydrofoil boat.
Sleep well to avoid risks
"It's difficult to ignore this aggressive environment. And therein lies the problem: if you don't recover well, you fall into a loss of alertness, and that's the open door to accidents." says Dr. Chauve.
We know that solo sailors sleep very little (about 5 to 6 hours of sleep in 24 hours per 45 minutes to 2 hours max.) but this sleep must be restorative. However, it is not easy to sleep when you are tossed around and constantly disturbed by the noise of the boats. "The boats make more noise, because it drums, it taps, and the appendages generate a whistling sound. I have noise-cancelling headphones to sleep in. Essential to recover and not to accumulate fatigue" explains Sébastien Josse.
