A new start and an express building site
"I will soon be able to resume the shifts on board. Thanks to all the work done over the past few days, we know that the boat will be ready tomorrow, and that Charal will be ready to set sail again at the afternoon tide on Tuesday 17th November. That's great news. I'd like to thank the whole Charal Sailing Team, who have been working day and night as usual since I arrived in Port Olonna. I'd like to thank all the subcontractors, all the external service providers who have worked on the boat. There are 15 to 20 people who have added their skills to make it work: the architects from VPLP, Gurit, Gepeto for the composite, Leborgne for the expertise.
I often say that the Vendée Globe is a team race, and we have shown once again - especially them - that with determination you can work miracles. That's great news. The race will start again tomorrow, even if in a different way" announced the skipper of Charal.
Although it was rudder damage that made him decide to turn back, it was the damage to the bulkhead, which supports the outrigger, which was technically the most complicated to repair. As a structural part of the boat, it was first necessary to assess the damage and destruct before repairs could be carried out.
"It took a lot of people with different skills, in record time, outdoors, in conditions that weren't great. That was really the big part of the job. I've got a crazy crew. You've got to live up to it, respect the work that's been done, and then go out and do it again . I'd like to thank everyone, not just the operational side, but the logistical side as well."
In addition to these two large shipyards, the windvane blade and the mainsail, which was damaged during consecutive gybes due to the impact on the rudder, also had to be changed.
Confined, but present
Due to the health crisis, Jérémie Béyou had to remain confined while his team carried out repairs. This was a significant distancing from the events he encountered.
"You're really going through all the states. On the one hand, you're glad you're out of it, because I really needed to cut out of the boat and the race. I didn't look at the rankings, I cut all the networks. At the same time, you'd want to be close to your team because you know that the guys and girls are working day and night so you'll be able to get going again. It feels a little strange to be away. I think from the beginning with team Charal we work so confidently, I knew it would be there anyway."
A real craze
This step back - as well as the channel's ascent - made him aware of all the excitement behind this project.
"Turning back showed me the emotion it created in people, the will of the public, Charal's employees, friends, the media, people in the channel, people who are passionate about sailing, adventure and sport... I realised I had to go back. And I did."
A thought for Nicolas Troussel
"I learned the dismasting of Nico (Troussel). When I say that I'm going through all the states, I'm sure that I'm very sad for him, for his whole team at Corum. I know how much energy it takes for a boat like this to go out on the Vendée Globe. It's a total commitment. When it totally stops, which is the case for Nicolas - while I'm lucky enough to be able to set off again - it's terrible. Today I think a lot about them."
Doing things differently
While at the start, Jérémie Beyou set out on the Vendée Globe to win, today things are different. But the support he has received from everyone is motivating him to continue, even if the race will be different. While he thought that leaving the pontoons in Les Sables-d'Olonne without an audience would allow him to reduce the emotion he felt and concentrate on the race, this hurried return gave him his dose.
"Before leaving, I tried to plan everything down to the minute. But today we have to work differently. I take one event after the other: go back, fix it, leave. We'll see what happens at sea. I prefer not to wait for anything, not to set myself goals. I don't know what I'm going to find out."
For the start, a new front is coming up, but a little less virulent than the one at the first start. "It's a new front upwind so we'll have to be careful."
It's then a fairly strong downwind wind off Cape Finisterre which will be waiting for the skipper, before a small depression off Morocco, which is likely to cut through the trade winds and extend the doldrums.
"It's not necessarily good news, but I'm mainly looking at the conditions at the start: passing this front and going downwind. We'll see what happens behind. I need to be in that frame of mind. I think that's what's going to help me move forward."
Congratulations Alex Thomson?!
Although he cut the race map, he nevertheless saw that Alex Thomson had taken the lead of the race just like Jean Le Cam for several days.
"I'm happy for Alex. He's got a good boat, he sails well. He made a great move a few days ago. I know it wasn't an easy start to the race. Hats off to all those who are still at sea with their various damages. They're all super deserving. I can't wait to get back on the road."
