A Vendée Globe 2024 project for Guirec Soudée
After 5 years of circumnavigation and a transatlantic rowing race in both directions, Guirec Soudée is embarking on a new adventure at just 30 years old and with 670 days of solo sailing to his credit. He bought Benjamin Dutreux's former IMOCA - Omia Water Family euros a 2007 Farr daggerboard design which finished the 2020/2021 round the world race in 9th place e place. He will participate in the Vendée Globe 2024 under the colors of Freelance.com.
A mythical race that makes you dream
The idea of the Vendée Globe began to germinate seriously during his first rowing trip between the Canaries and the West Indies between January and February 2021. However, it is a race he had already wanted to participate in.
"I followed the 2016 Vendée Globe a lot. I wanted to potentially get into the circuit when I got back from my round-the-world race in 2018. But the timing was too close. I followed the start in 2020 and took some news during my rowing crossing. I had to get into this project.
It is a mythical race that I have dreamed of since I was a child, but which seemed impossible for me. But I was told that this race would suit me and that I was capable of going all the way. It stayed with me and didn't leave my brain. Every sailor dreams of doing the Vendée Globe. When I was in the south with my boat, I couldn't do anything. I want to come back with a real boat to face 15 m waves. I sailed between 50,000 and 60,000 miles at an average speed of 2 to 5 knots between sailing and rowing. This is going to be a change!"
An IMOCA with daggerboards from 2007
After looking at the IMOCA boats for sale, he chose Benjamin Dutreux's former IMOCA.
"It's a daggerboard boat, simple, reliable, efficient and not too complicated. Even if I have accumulated some miles at sea, I have no experience in IMOCA. I have to learn everything and this boat is great for this project. I set foot on an IMOCA in the water for the first time this April 4, 2022."
Be on the starting line and complete the loop
As a rookie, Guirec Soudée is clear about his goal, which is clearly not victory.
"I already want to be on the starting line and finish the race. There is a long way to go, but I am very motivated. I have great partners and I am surrounded by a great team. Seb Audigane is my Boat Captain and my coach. He has 6 circumnavigations to his credit and more than 45,000 miles under his belt. The boat was launched yesterday. We are going to start in earnest very quickly as the first race, the Bermuda 1000 Race, is fast approaching. I've always had this competitive spirit, because when I was younger I used to compete in windsurfing. But there are sailors much more experienced than me. I simply go there, discreetly, with the idea of telling a nice story and going all the way. The idea is not to finish last. When I have confidence in the IMOCA, in myself, I will push harder."
A sponsor until 2025
This new adventure, Guirec Soudée will live it with Freelance.com, which supports him until 2025. A sponsor who looks like him and whose colors he is proud to wear.
"Freelance.com is not very well known, but it is gaining in popularity. We will be present on all the qualifying races until the Vendée Globe. We recognize ourselves in Guirec's project. Our freelancers are fond of freedom. They like to work without a manager, without a structure and it corresponds to this philosophy of sailing, of the sea. We recognize ourselves in this field, in this freedom and the ability to live the adventure. Guirec is a freelancer of the seas" explains Claude Tempe, vice-president of Freelance.com.
A learning process to arrive serene at the start
It is step by step that Guirec Soudée will launch himself into this adventure with a real learning process.
"I'm going to go cool at the start to figure out how it works. I'm going from a tricycle to a Formula 1. I'm going to be in a learning process, sailing as much as possible, recording and progressing to know my boat as well as possible for the Vendée Globe."
For his preparation, Guirec has settled in Finistère and his boat will be housed in Concarneau at Kaïros, Roland Jourdain's ocean racing team. After the Bermuda 1000 Race, the Vendée Arctique, the Azimut Challenge will follow the mythical Route du Rhum in November 2022.
"It's a chance to participate in the Route du Rhum. It's a race that makes me dream even if a transatlantic race is short compared to what I've experienced before. The 2023/2024 seasons will be devoted to the classics: Jacques Vabre Transat Anglaise, and probably The Ocean Race.
Clearly, the places are expensive for the next Vendée Globe and each mile sailed is very important. So you have to start as soon as possible to be sure of your place. I'm going to sail and learn without missing a step. These are complicated boats and I want to arrive at the Vendée Globe with total confidence. In my previous projects, I did everything in a hurry. This time, I'm going to do things in time."
