What are you most afraid of on this trip?
Cold and capsizing are my biggest fears. Only people who sail sport catamarans can realise how much they capsize! Like a Hobie Cat except I'm sailing at 15 knots. In water at 27° it can be pleasant, but in the far north the water is at zero degrees. It's impossible!
I can't afford any mistakes. I've capsized twice around the world and I've learned a lot. But here, if I fall into the water, it's dangerous, I could die!
What are you most pleased about?
To be in an environment unknown and almost unexplored by man. I would have loved to have lived in 15/16 th century and explore the world, discover the coast, new lands. That's what I liked about my world tour, sailing around the world on a sextant.
The wildlife must be exceptional and the scenery surreal. The more I listen to the stories of the people who have been there, the more I think it's crazy. They want to go back!
On the eve of departure, how do you feel?
I've never been more ready for an event in my life. Even in ocean racing. I've always been low-budget or last-minute. This is the first time, in the last few days, I've had nothing to do. In terms of serenity, I'm very good, I have total confidence. It was necessary to face this challenge. I can't take the slightest risk in my preparation. The timing is right, the technical choices are also right, my team is great.
My préparateurs know that I'm putting myself in danger on the boat and they've really taken responsibility.
It's not something you expose yourself to all the time, but it's something you do once! It's extreme, it's the apotheosis, it's the most challenging thing I do. I'm well aware that it's important. People think I'm hurting myself, but I'm going to devour it, enjoy the ride. I'm happy, and it's important to go to the extreme, otherwise it's not worth it. This challenge, it's a logical progression. For 25 years, I've been progressing and learning as I sail. I've put many details into this expedition that have come from experience.
What do you have planned for your last night?
Honestly, I don't know! I'm living in a house and they're lovely people. I'm not expecting anything special. I think we're gonna spend the evening together eating and talking. I don't want a press event. There'll only be three people on the dock to say goodbye to me. I don't know anyone here.
And what's the next step?
In terms of risk, this will be the summit. I'm comfortable with the adventure and I find it fulfilling. I don't give up competition, but adventure is something else! In competition, you have to wait your turn, even if you're at the top of your game. In adventure, it's not like that. You find solutions to your problems that aren't in the manuals. The adventure of sailing has been lost for 20 years, I'm sorry. You live fully, without any frustration, and you learn a lot. In competition, you don't challenge yourself, you apply what you know how to do. In this kind of challenge, you progress, you get fulfilled.
