What is the outcome of the year 2018 since the Transat Jacques Vabre?
We had met at the start of the Jacques Vabre. After the race, the boat came in by sea from Brazil and on this return, we were hit by a trawler at night without fire, without AIS, without anything... A float was broken. It screwed up the whole training program. I had planned this return transatlantic race to practice solo. We went back to the Mediterranean with a half-broken float that had to be repaired. CDK came all the way to the Mediterranean to ensure the repair. We were back in the water in May. Since June, we have been training, testing adjustments and transporting back from the Mediterranean to Port Laforet. We alternated between tune-ups and navigations on the boat throughout the summer. It was pretty intense.
Did you take the opportunity to make some optimizations?
We haven't been able to make any technical progress. We've got the basics straightened out: get the boat back in working order. What was important for us was to have our speed calibrations compared to our competitors to determine which areas we should work on. We worked on the mast adjustment and sail adjustment. Now we're pretty confident, the boat is ready. We'll see what happens on this 2018 Route du Rhum, you never know what can happen on a solo race.
Is the boat at 100% of its potential or is there still room for improvement?
All athletes always think they can improve. I think the boat still has room for improvement. We'd be a year short. If it hadn't been for this accident, we might have made it. We are going to have good potential, but I am convinced that we are not at the maximum of our potential.
What is the objective for you on this Route du Rhum?
Making a podium is quite feasible. I don't have any particular pressure, I'm serene and I have confidence in the boat. It's quite feasible.
What will be the difficulty on the course?
I know the road well, there will be no surprises. The key points will be to properly manage the boat's speed and performance.
The first few days are going to be a little sporty. They're announcing some air. Even if there are only 25 knots, our maximum speeds are at 20 knots of wind. If we're reaching by 20 knots, we're going to make 35-40 knots.
Can you tell us about the best memory you have of a Route du Rhum?
On arrival! It's a moment of joy, to say to yourself that you have done it: you face the elements. Completing it is already a challenge. It is too often forgotten.
How would you describe the Route du Rhum in a few words?
For our Multi50 boats this is the "most committed" transatlantic crossing. It will not be necessary to waste time from the first few days to be able to claim a good result. While taking care of yourself so that nothing happens to us personally and technically.
Can you present us your boat and its solo configuration?
The most difficult part of being alone is managing the effort. The most common manoeuvres are tacking. Even if we don't have many on a Wheel of Rum. And the gennak' shipments which are the only sails that are not rolled up at the station. It requires strength, technique and attention to safety. We have to stop the boat. We can't go at 30 knots and move to the front of the boat. Whether you're solo or double it's the same.
In the design of the boat, I wanted to refocus the entire steering station, to be hyper protected. Whatever the edge, I can adjust my sails without being exposed to spray and wind. I find that the Multi 50s are not sufficiently protected. The bar stations of the IMOCA or Ultims are totally enclosed, that's what I wanted to reproduce.
A single central column, 4 winches for all the front sails, a winch at the rear for mainsail listening.
The boat has been designed mainly for the solo Route du Rhum. With a crew, having only one column is a handicap. There could be two of us on it, but there's no room for it now.
The side windscreens are retractable. It allows you to fully retract the listening point of the great gennak'. In light winds, it replaces code 0, you tuck it in like a Solent.
The deck layout is quite conventional. We worked on aerodynamics. We've created a tunnel where all the ends are hidden by a tarp. I consider the aero to be almost as essential as the shape of the hull. We worked on it a lot since the study of the boat with the archi. 95% of everything had been well thought out during the study.
I rest as much as I can outside, but I still have a footstool inside that I position at the bottom of the ladder. It allows me to have a visual on the repeaters and screens. I have a sheet width inside. All my navigation and communications are done here.
