What made you decide to go for the Mini?
It's just hearing about the race. I think we're in a pretty good position. I saw a video in 2007 following Yves le Blevec's victory, and I said to myself: "it looks great, we'll have to do it one day". The seed has been sown, we just have to wait for the moment when the context is the best to get started. I wanted to experience this race.
On the eve of departure, what's your state of mind?
That's funny, I was thinking about that last night. I don't really realize I'm starting. When I realize it, it makes my tears come up. We'll see how it goes, but it's great to be here today.
So far, has everything been as you imagined it would be?
It's different seeing a video of a guy in a mini than being in one. It's better in real life! It's my little boat, it's my little moped. I've been preparing it for two years, two years we've been sailing together, racing. Now I'm going to do MY crossing. It's only happiness, even if there are ups and downs. But so far the highs are higher than the lows are low. I have much more fun than trouble. That's the advantage of the standard mini.
What's your best memory on this mini?
It's a tack on the mini Fastnet with Benoit Hantzperg in 2016 where we broke a rudder. But we were on the right tack and we were making 25 knots at 110° to the wind with two reefs + gennak'. The boat on the edge, with a donf, hyper-balanced, full moon, in the axis of the moon. The boat at the top, that's my best memory.
And the worst part? Who would have made you regret being hired?
No, I've never done anything that made me regret enlisting. On the other hand, the worst memory is the one where I scared myself the most - even if it remains a good memory in retrospect - it was a head-on passage during qualifying where there were 40 knots. I wasn't expecting it because I didn't have the weather forecast. I wasn't quite ready. It's been a big mess for 5-6 hours at night. I remember it vividly, but not so badly.
Once you've had this adventure, what do you think you'll do?
I haven't built anything back there. The truth is, that's all I've been doing for the last two years. It's not my goal to become a professional skipper, so I don't force myself to create a project built behind. After that, I'd like to take a little break and enjoy the simple things.
Ready to go? You trust the boat?
The boat? I trust it completely. I have less confidence in the skipper, in my ability to deal with all the eventualities that are going to arise. But that's what this race is all about.
Until now I didn't think about it too much, but now I'm starting to project myself. The pressure's building. But it's all right, I'm ready.
Can you show us what you customized on your boat?
The bull bar! It's the one thing that's going to be the most distinctive thing about my boat that the others don't have. Protections on the boat's coaming to avoid taking tens of litres that I would normally take on the Pogo 3. I hope to have a little more comfort than my mates.
[Guillaume installed a bulkhead across the width of each gangway to drain the water outboard above the cockpit.]
Can you say your boat is comfortable?
No! Clearly not! I can tell it's not comfortable at all. I feel great on board, but it's not comfort that makes me feel good on board. And that's not the worst part. In proto boats, the boats are even less comfortable. But already the standard Mini and the Pogo 3 is not comfortable!
How's your life on this boat?
Lots of time out at the helm, even if it's not the helm in hand. I put a seat with my feet on the footrest and that's where I'm best. I have a global view of my boat. And when it's not outside, it's inside to cook my food, rest and do my sailing.
