With very physical boats, the ocean racers have to follow an intensive physical training. During the first confinement, in March 2020, skippers had to continue training, especially the IMOCA skippers whose deadline was the 2020 Vendée Globe.
But because of the confinement, the latter have deserted the gyms and the common trainings. However, they must continue to train, at the risk of compromising all the work done.
Very physical boats
"The idea is not to lose the work done in the past months with my coach Anne Beaudart, whom I saw regularly. I have a goal of gaining mass and I know that during this confinement, I won't gain any, but I try not to lose too much especially." confides to us Clarisse Crémer skipper of the IMOCA Banque Populaire.
"Our boats are very physical and if, once the confinement is lifted, we go back to work without having done any sport, we will very quickly attack our physique. It's important to continue the physical preparation and to do a minimum of maintenance, but not to explode either." adds Samantha Davies skipper of the IMOCA Initiatives Coeur.
Precisely, what activities do they practice at home?
1 to 1.5 hours of physical activity
Clarisse and Samantha follow the videos sent by their coach and trainer and do between 1 and 1.5 hours of sport daily. "I do strength training on my deck, nothing too original. I also have a rowing machine at home and I add little stretching sessions. Of course, it doesn't replace sailing and it's hard to motivate yourself. Especially since my favorite sports are mountain biking or running. After that, it's sure that for me it's easier, I don't have children to manage" clarisse explains.
For Samantha, sport is a family lifestyle. At home, everyone plays sports! "I only made a schedule for myself because I manage school for my son at the same time. I segment my activity into two parts, 40 min in the morning for example and 40 min in the evening. I then choose whether I do a very physical activity or stretching. I don't have any equipment at home so I've been collecting cans of different weights."
For Stanislas Thuret The skipper of the Class40 Everial, an energetic multi-sportsman, found it hard to be without being able to practice outdoors, but he showed ingenuity to continue training! "At the Finistère Ocean Racing Pole, I did three 1.5-hour cardio preparation sessions and I also practiced swimming."
Today, he has set himself a jogging day and a 30 to 45 minute circuit-training/CrossFit day followed by two/three stretches per week.
"For the race, I went around my block, which is about 300m and I do 30 laps. For me, who has never done a track and prefers to see the sea, rocks, etc., I work on the mental side as well. I'm lucky to have a rowing machine for warm-up, I made myself a jump rope, I have a ball for abs and sheathing."
The latter also carries out the exercises sent by the coaches, but also those proposed by the Triathlon Federation.
"I also made a really cool system for myself. I took a 20-pound weight attached to an old halyard and pulley and looped it over a tree branch in my backyard. This allows me to work both the muscles, but also the hands. It's important to keep a piece in your hands to keep the horn, he adds.
"It's hard to motivate yourself when you know you don't have a start date." concludes Stan. However, he has set himself a challenge: "Managing to stand on the Swiss ball is an exercise that skiers do." The skipper also takes advantage of this confinement to recharge his batteries and rest, something he rarely has time to do.
What about you at home?
"We shouldn't try to do too much either. We're athletes and are used to exercise, but for people who aren't as athletic it's way too much. Aim for 30 minutes of activity every other day: cardio, stretching, yoga..." says Samantha.
"The home trainer is great. It's a support that allows you to hold your bike and continue training while riding. Athletes use it a lot in winter. I regret not having bought one" confides Stan.
