The headline's a little over-sold: "Anything that floats on salt water...". Antoine Le Séguillon used to be a journalist, a career he led by collaborating for a decade on the daily newspaper l'Équipe, being in charge of the Sailing page. This autobiographical book tells the story of his professional life. He began his career on the radio and then in the written press before ending it with a stint on television. But boats are not often mentioned.
Indeed, the author tells us how he flew all over the world, from hotels to restaurants, restaurants to bars (not to mention golf courses). Of course, this journalist has met people, seen the country, but he doesn't tell much about navigation. We've just learned that he has touched the helm of an America's Cup Class and transported Loïc Peyron's ORMA trimaran..
Otherwise, he explains well the huge parties at the expense of sponsors where he ends up ruined in a swimming pool. He also explains how he doesn't remember the end of a party when he wakes up in his hotel room. We will pass on the proposals of attractive young women that he details with great care.
Certainly that Antoine Le Séguillon lived his profession well, enjoying the good years when money was not a problem. But his conclusion that could be summed up as "I'm retiring, because it was better before" leaves a bitter taste in the mouth for the new generations of editors who like him love their job and keep the love of sharing information.
The information has undoubtedly changed (as has the world), the time when we rolled out the red carpet to a journalist from the Team to talk about the sailor and his sponsor no longer exists. Today, thanks to digital technology, information circulates quickly and journalists are treated differently.
This book is a bit like the cover picture. It shows the mast of a cruising sailboat under jib alone, mainsail down. An abnormal situation that does not make you want to go on board to have a good time.
Anything that floats on salt water..
- Antoine Le Séguillon
- Editions Jets d'Encre
- 15.3 x 23 cm
- 225 pages
- 19.80 euros
