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With just a few weeks to go before the start of the Arkea Ultim Challenge, a solo round-the-world race in an Ultim trimaran, Actual skipper Anthony Marchand answers our questions about preparing for such a challenge.
How is the boat being prepared for the Arkea Ultim Challenge?
The trimaran has been taken to Lorient to be dismasted for a complete check of the spar and its peripherals. We'll shortly be putting the mast back in place and taking the boat back to La Trinité sur Mer to continue the check-up, notably on the electronics and hydraulics.
After that, we'll be doing some sailing, including a 24-hour session. It won't be solo, and the technical team will be on board. There's very little time between the Jacques Vabre and the Arkea, so most of the work and training has been done beforehand.
Did the appendages suffer during the Transat Jacques Vabre and the return delivery?
A few appendages have to be refitted. The port foil was damaged, as was the rudder, which took a beating. But that didn't stop us from sailing.
Will you be scheduling a few more solo training sessions before the start?
No, the solo training was mainly before the Jacques Vabre. This year, between qualifying for the Rhum and the Arkea, I sailed 4,500 miles "true solo", without a mediaman or a shore crew. It was Yves le Blevec's and my joint desire to accumulate miles while being truly alone on board.
I also raced the first three legs of The Ocean Race. Surprisingly, these legs gave me great training for sailing an Ultim, especially for my understanding of the Southern Ocean. It's quite rare to sail in these areas, so it helped me to understand the local weather conditions.
How did you manage the evolution of the platform?
In two years, we've changed the foils, mast hydraulics and many other components. When you upgrade such a complex platform, you lose reliability. The idea is to know how to adjust the cursor between the need to evolve a racing machine while keeping it reliable.
Physically, what are the weeks like before a race like this?
We limit physical training, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There's no point in going to the gym or doing too much exercise. It's too late, and you don't want to injure yourself.
I'm also going to take a few days off, away from the water. I need to get away from it for a while to keep the desire to go sailing. It's important to take a break.
How are logistics prepared in the event of a problem or technical stopover?
We ask ourselves the basic questions: where do we stop in case of major problems? Brazil is ideal, as it's a short detour. Pit stops in Capetown or New Zealand are more problematic, as they make the route much longer.
But I'm still going to take on board some major repairs. The idea is not to stop!
