In this 5th episode, we find the sailboats involved in the 1977/78 round the world race, the famous Whitbread. In this film directed and shot by Yves Hussenot, we sail on board the sailing boats flying the French flag. Pen Duick VI first with its skipper Eric Tabarly, but also Gauloise III skippered by Eric Loiseau, or Jappy Hermes helmed by Jimmy Vian.
This film, shot during the race, shows well the living conditions on board of these reckless sailors who were embarking on this adventure without really knowing the implication that it entails. Food, kitchen, chart table, astro point, clothes... are all little details that show the life on a racing sailboat at that time. If some conditions are more tender, because the sailors smoked at will, drank wine and beer without batting an eyelid - which would be unthinkable today on a regatta boat - we also understand that only protected by a PVC raincoat and rubber boots, skin infections were common.
In spite of a disqualification due to its keel in uranium, Eric Tabarly and Pen Duick VI turned the Cape Horn in head with 2 days of advance on its pursuers. But the finish line was not yet visible, as the boats had to sail up the Central American coast to Rio.
