On the eve of the Route du Rhum, Sam Goodchild, one of the great leaders of the Ocean Fifty circuit in 2022, answers our questions.
Second in the Pro Sailing Tour, winner of the Dhream Cup, you are one of the top performers in the Ocean Fifty circuit. What are your ambitions for the Route du Rhum?
The desire is to win, that's for sure, but the Atlantic is not easy, even more so in Ocean Fifty with radical boats. I have the ability to achieve a good result, but in our class, everyone has a record. There are only two of us out of eight who have never crossed the Atlantic in an Ocean Fifty. We have to remain humble, study the limits and possibilities.
Is this your first solo transatlantic race on an Ocean Fifty? How do you feel about it?
I did the Route du Rhum 4 years ago on the Class40 Narcos: Mexico. But I dismasted, so it only lasted 3 days. I'm not afraid of crossing the Atlantic, nor of spending 2 weeks alone, but of being fast, on a boat that is more at ease upside down than right side up. Where to put the cursor?
On a monohull, you can go full speed all the time. In the worst case, you damage the hull, you tear the sailsâ?¦ In Ocean Fifty, this is not the case and it is the same problem for everyone. On the Pro Sailing Tour we can afford it, on the Transat Jacques Vabre too, especially since there was not much wind in 2021. On the Route du Rhum, we are wondering about slowing down in strong conditions. It's not the same effort all the time.
Since the end of the Pro Sailing Tour, how did you prepare your boat for solo sailing?
The Dhream Cup helped a bit, but it was only a week after the Pro Sailing Tour. We didn't do much. In August, we did a technical check-up and put the boat in single-handed mode. The cockpit is more closed, the watch seat installed in the cockpit to rest on the deck. This has been in development for a while. We also checked the reliability and performance of the autopilot, performed system checks, added spare partsâeuros¦ It was mostly based on reliability because it's been 1 ½ years since we've been focused on performance.
We want to finish this Route du Rhum, but above all to win it. We launched very early, sailed in Portugal, participated in the 1000 Milles des Sables. I've done a lot of solo sailing. It really took the pressure off for the season. We also focused on the crew.
How are you training for this Route du Rhum?
We sail a lot, but we never do enough. Sailing a real solo race is a significant risk. I have done the 1000 Milles des Sables and the Dhream Cup single-handed, or else false solo with experienced sailors for coaching or with someone to keep watch.
What is your assessment of this season alternating Pro Sailing Tour and Dhream Cup?
It was a very busy season, as we like at Leyton. It was positive, even though we didn't win the Pro Sailing Tour, but we performed. We knew that the other teams would come back strong this season, to raise the level. Arkema won, Koesio did well. I took my first marks in solo multihull racing. I wanted to do well, but I was apprehensive.
After several races, both single-handed and crewed, where do you stand in terms of getting used to your boat?
I know him better and better. It's reassuring because the safety side of things depends on knowing your boat. The Dhream Cup was difficult, with changing conditions, difficult to manage in Ocean Fifty. There was a lot of shifting wind.
Managing the boat single-handed in strong winds is getting better and better. I know the limits and I know what he is capable of.
The Ocean Fifty is mainly designed for crew. How do you feel about the transition to solo sailing?
I'm a bit apprehensive. Of all the boats that start the Route du Rhum, the Ocean Fifty are the most dangerous. Even my Ultim class friends were surprised by the commitment. The main thing is to set the cursor right. Regatta or cruise? Especially if the conditions are tough. Before the start, it's always the most complicated. Once at sea, you concentrate on the objective. There is no time to worry.
What are the differences between a 3-day Dhream Cup and a 10-day Route du Rhum?
Over three days, we all got into the red. Over a transatlantic race, it's much more complicated. Hence the story of the cursor. You have to rest and be in good condition to make sail changes when you need to, and make the right decisions. You have to be able to tell yourself when it's not time to go all out, and wait until the next day to attack. It's nothing like what we've done before. Even in the Jacques Vabre.
In the last few races, the match is close and the gaps are quite small. Do you think it will be the same for the Route du Rhum?
It depends on a lot of things, but the delta of performance is much smoother in solo. That makes the level even. If you have 10 to 15 knots of wind, there is no risk of capsizing. It's not the same game if there is a storm at the start. It depends on the weather conditions.
On the board, the 8 skippers are capable of winning. Those who are not at ease with a crew on the Pro Sailing Tour, and who have not necessarily performed well, will be able to do so on a transatlantic race. For example, Thibaut knows his limits, is never afraid and knows his boat by heart.
