In the Vendée Globe, the 20 skippers still in contention (there were 29 at the start) also celebrated Christmas in their own way. First of all, Alan Roura and Eric Bellion had the huge opportunity to sail side by side (that is the case to say, as they even came close to colliding) and to singing the famous Christmas anthem, "Little Santa Claus." .
But this encounter was not enough for them as they decided to lift their feet and wait for Ireland's Enda O'Coineen, who has been sailing blind for several days. "Enda's heading towards us, we're waiting for him, as he's out of maps, he's got big computer problems, so we're going to lift off until December 26th to let the depression pass. We'll stay together and we'll start the race again on the 26th in the evening."
So their duo turned into a trio for Christmas after 50 days at sea, as they prepare to enter the Pacific! "J i think it's great to have turned a difficulty into an incredible opportunity to experience this moment. It's the most beautiful Christmas of my life to have these three Vendée Globe IMOCA boats so close together" enthused Eric Bellion in his video.
"I'm under gennaker, the sea is flat, I'm in the high, it's going to be a quiet Christmas. I'm on foie gras and it's getting dark. I'm having a solo Christmas in the South Seas. A quiet Christmas, that's nice. My team sent me a message explaining where the gift bag was. It's hidden somewhere, I'm going to open my packages. It's gonna be fun!" said Fabrice Amedeo (Newrest-Matmut) during his radio session. In a video, he also thanked everyone and is thinking about doing the Vendée Globe more often, as he was really spoiled! (video below)
"We're not far away with Eric (Bellion), so we thought it was a real shame not to see each other. We're still side by side, we're still talking on the VHF, it's the sunshine of this grey day. I like Eric a lot, it's a pleasure to spend this Christmas day with him. I'm having a nice meal tonight, but in the end it's just another day, because I'm all alone on the other side of the world." indicates Alan Roura.
"I had my family yesterday, I went to get my presents from the water. I got a 30-minute video of the whole family and the in-laws, friends, I took some time to watch it, it really pumped me up... I'm giving it my all, as soon as I hit the wind, I'll go get some rest." indicates Yann Eliès.
I found great food, little words, a drink, I was able to decorate the boat, I received a lot of emails... It's great! It's coming at the right time." explains Louis Burton on Bureau Vallée . The latter took the opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas to all those who follow him, before dressing up as Santa Claus and climbing onto the roof of his boat for a little dance! (Video below).
"Santa Claus came by with little presents, that's nice! Merry Christmas to all, happy holidays and long live Santa!" exclaimed Jean-Pierre Dick in a video.
"It was advisable to slow down in order to avoid the worst of the storm, so the three of us decided that since we were side by side, we would celebrate Christmas together. After about 50 days of racing where we tried to be as fast as possible, we put a truce on our battles. We lowered the sails, slowed down and found ourselves together in the middle of nowhere. 400 miles south of Tasmania, we exchanged presents and I sang Christmas carols. I gave Alan a USB stick with over a hundred movies on it and a cigar, which made him happy." Enda O'Coineen, Kilcullen Voyager - Team Ireland.
"Hello what day is it...????!!!!! Here's a little idea. He left his hat lying around, but where is it, I don't see it, he hid some presents I hope, I haven't found them yet... Santa Claus is too strong, I go to sleep and he comes on board like that! Shhh, Santa Claus, the Vendée Globe is in SOLITARY, they're not going to be happy with the race management !! ! Oh well, you're planning to go, so make it quick because we're on the other side of Europe. Well we must be on December 24th 2016 every time ! Appointment is taken for the opening of the gifts Thank you Santa Claus" Arnaud Boissière, La Mie Caline.
"Magical moment to spend Christmas at sea during the Vendée Globe. Big thought for all those who are alone, but who didn't choose it like I did. Thanks to all those who are accompanying me in this fabulous project. Have a great time with your family and friends. I'm savoring the enormous privilege I have
Thank you." Arnaud Boissière, La Mie Caline.
I passed Cape Horn 20 minutes ago. I'm very pleased. I had 15 to 40 knots from 200 to 260 degrees, which is a real challenge. Fortunately the seas aren't too bad, but it's difficult to keep up the pace in these conditions. Between the gusts, I'm eating my little dried fruit tarts for Christmas. Getting out of the South Seas is the best Christmas present, especially after such a fast passage. But in fact the South Seas aren't over yet - there are still 200 miles to go and then a thousand miles to the north" Alex Thomson.
"I'm so lucky to celebrate Christmas on my boat, when I see the buddies, Thomas (Ruyant), Stéphane (Le Diraison), Kito (De Pavant), Paulo (Paul Meilhat)... I don't feel like adding to the list at all! I have a bag of food that goes from 41 to 50 and now it's day 49 so I opened it and saw that there was a small USB key inside. I put it aside and as soon as it gets dark I'll go and see what's inside. I saw a letter too... Me celebrating Christmas alone, I'm not too interested! It's bad enough I'm not very Christmassy! What I want to enjoy is to be on my boat, always racing, it's a Christmas I'll remember for the rest of my life and that's what interests me." Eric Bellion.
"Merry Christmas, folks! It's a big deal to me! We're in the front of the depression, with 45 knots so for the presents I'm going to wait until it calms down ! It'll be better tomorrow! Merry Christmas to all of you and for me I hope it gets better ! In a couple of hours it should calm down !" Roman Attanasio
Jean Le Cam gave us a cooking class for his Christmas dinner with all the humour we know about him "Take a frying pan, put some olive oil on it so it doesn't stick, take your bag and a chisel and cut it off before pouring it into the pan." On King John's menu: King crab with mayonnaise, Uncle Fanche's caviar, mashed potatoes, forest calf sweetbreads and Saint-Julien Chateau Tenac 2012. He punctuates his cooking demonstration with his own phrases "We could use a little vodka to go with that crab." or give a demonstration of opening a bottle of wine when you don't have a corkscrew, using a knife. "We'll try it anyway, it's been a month and a half since I haven't had a drop... That's a pleasure, I didn't think it would be like that ! But after the night I spent!" he exclaims after having succeeded!
