Why did you choose to participate in this race around the world?
The story begins during the return delivery trip of the Route du Rhum in March 2015, I receive an email from an English club announcing the creation of the race. I admit my interest, but at that time, I was looking for a budget to take part in the 2016 Vendée Globe. I didn't follow it up.
In November 2015, Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, who was preparing his Rustler 36 for this race, asked me to help him out on a big day at sea. Given the problems I was having in making ends meet in my Vendée Globe budget, I told him of my interest in the Golden Globe Race: "It's good, but there's no more room! Already at that time, there were seven people on the waiting list.
I then try to be part of the VIP guests and get one of the 5 places reserved by the organization. And it works. In March 2016, I'm registered and I can leave in search of the boat.
As VDH, you chose a Rustler 36. Why this model?
I took much the same approach as VDH. I wanted the slowest boat on the set. I found it in England. It's from 1990. I'm the 3rd e landlord. Funny how the first owner was Blondie Hasler's sister. He's the one who won the first OSTAR on his boat Jester. And I won that race in the Jester class... that boat was made for me. It's been called "One and All" since her christening. A name predestined for sailing around the world. After I bought the boat, I started looking for sponsors.
What is the budget for the Golden Globe Race?
The budget varies a lot depending on whether you are retired, a pensioner or not... In one case, you just need the budget for the boat, its preparation and the operating budget. For my part, I'm not retired, I'm 100% on the project 2 years before the start of the race. So I have to make a living during those two years. And that increases the budget considerably.
It takes between 40,000 and 100,000 euros to buy the boat and about 50,000 euros for the race. So it's a race that can be completed with 120 to 130,000 euros. For my part, I'm looking for between 200 and 250,000 euros to be able to finance the boat and live these 2 years. In any case, that's still ten times less than the budget for a "losing" Vendée Globe!
Why "loser"?
I've done a lot of chasing after sponsors to race in the Vendée Globe and one of my hesitations has been to offer a sponsor a budget for which there is no possibility of a podium finish. I'm aware that there is only one winner at the finish. But for me, taking part in a race is trying to be that one. In the Golden Globe Race, I'm much more comfortable with a sponsor. Everyone involved has a chance to win. It's a strong notion that I like as a competitor. Besides, on this challenge, it's not the money that will make the difference. It's only the endurance, since the performance will not be in speed, but in regularity.
Where are you with the budget research?
I waited until I was registered and found the boat to go and meet my "historic" sponsors. It's been 5 months since the boat returned from England and today I've raised 37% of my budget. It wasn't too difficult to find the money, as I have to admit that wherever I go, the Golden Globe Race project is very popular.
The boat seems expensive for a model of this size and age?
I managed to get mine at 63,000 euros. These models are still in high demand. Maybe because Princess Anne owns one? They're solid, seaworthy boats. The shipyard still exists and you can still order a new one today... For 400,000 euros!
What kind of preparation work do you do on the boat?
On deck, I change the mast to a better guyed model with 2 spreader levels. I also change the blockers and winches. Not forgetting the fitting of the orange canopy by my supplier NV Equipment.
We also redid the whole deck by plugging all the holes and redoing the anti-skid paint.
Inside, I installed the watertight bulkhead at the bow as required by regulation. It comes in place of the anchor locker (closed on deck) and eats a bit of the forward cabin. I'm also going to install a watertight door at the masthead bulkhead.
You have the same boat as VHD, do you trade with him?
Yes, we have a lot to talk about. He's a year ahead of me in preparation. He wiped a lot of plaster off for me. Often we reflect together on a problem. For example for the hydrogenerator, I have more experience of navigation with these devices. So naturally I'm the one who advises him in this field.
We can't wait for me to put my boat back together so we can sail together and progress side by side.
Are you expecting any surprises?
We're going on an adventure. In some areas we have no distance to go. For example, how will the antifouling behave after 8 months at sea? No one knows. I'm working with Boero in this area. They're offering me a painting. We'll keep our fingers crossed that this is the right solution. We'll put the boat back in the water in 3 weeks, we'll see at next winter's yard if the boat comes back with a beard..
