Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, leader of the Golden Globe Race with a 1,600 mile lead over the runner-up, Dutchman Mark Slats, joined Tasmania on Friday 5th October at 21:30 French time. A waypoint imposed by the race management at the door of Hobart to deposit films and letters. A "stopover" at anchor for 90 minutes during which the oldest member of the race - 73 candles when même?! - was able to do a live Facebook chat with her friends and family and answer interviews.
After 97 days of racing, the sailor has completed half of his round the world trip and plans to join Les Sables-d'Olonne in the first week of February 2019. Already 16,600 miles covered and a leading position (there are only 8 of the 17 participants at the start) that he explains by his long preparation, on his Rustler 36 bought 3 years ago "The boat is a good boat, the windvane gear works well and I have only minor problems to deal with like a porthole leak."
He also took advantage of this break in the race and the calm sea to check his rigging, before trying to take a nap, in conditions "too calm to sleep".
He then set sail to resume his race with his next Pacific crossing, and his passage of Cape Horn, hoping to complete his round the world trip in 210 days.
Here is a summary of the issues discussed during the live session
Its opinion on GGR
The Golden Globe Race is an interesting experience, but I will not repeat it.
Its preparation
Preparation is one of the keys to success. Mark, for example, a few months before the start was rowing across the Atlantic. I preferred to spend 3 years preparing the boat and optimizing it completely. Preparation is one of the key elements with the windvane gear, sails, mast - which is shorter than that of the other Rustlers - and all the preparation details that greatly improve the boat. My boat is quite fast when there is wind and suffers from a small speed deficit when there is no wind.
The race at 73 years old
The age for boats like that is not very important. What matters is motivation and especially what's in your head. The physical doesn't matter too much either, we're not on a 60-foot level. It's uncomfortable, but it doesn't bother you too much.
I think having done 5 round the world trips before taught me a lot about the weather.
It's all about motivation. You have to be on it during the day, at night, get out of your down if you have to change your sails... You have to have envie?!
Fatigue cannot be managed. I don't feel tired, I sleep well, I fall asleep quickly, I recover quite well. I don't feel tired. I manage my time and rest as soon as I can.
