Alain Maignan, a letter carrier living in Ille-et-Vilaine, has conscientiously saved up his days off for four years to make his dream come true: to sail around the world single-handed, non-stop and without assistance, aboard a simple pleasure boat. At 52, Alain Maignan, an ordinary man and sailing enthusiast, is the epitome of the exceptional.
Not a vocation for the sea
Born into a farming family, he was by no means a "born sailor". It was around the age of 30 that he acquired his first sailboat, just 45 kilometers from his hometown of Saint-Malo. At the time, the idea of sailing around the world did not cross his mind, although Eric Tabarly's tales had always nourished his seafaring dreams. His navigation apprenticeship was " by reading books "and sailing alongside other skippers. Gradually, he developed a passion for the sport, until he became a seasoned sailor.
A Route du Rhum as a pirate
His journey led him to take part in the Route du Rhum in 2002 as a "pirate", entering the race unofficially. For Maignan, however, this was not the end of the journey. The idea of a circumnavigation of the globe via the three capes, in the style of the Vendée Globe, germinated within him. After sharing his project with his wife - a crucial step for him - and obtaining her agreement, the adventure began in earnest.
No vacation for 4 years
With no sponsors, Alain Maignan, a hard-working letter carrier, sacrificed his vacations for four years in order to have around 180 days to complete his tour. His journey began on October 7, 2006, a week after he left work on October 1, with a return-to-work deadline of April 16, 2007. Preparation was far from optimal: his boat, a 20-year-old 10-meter Sun Rise, was upgraded at weekends, and physical preparation was limited to the advice of a general practitioner. As for food, lacking the means for freeze-dried food, he takes on board 1.3 tons of canned food, compromising his ideal weight. He explains that he has optimized space on board by removing several bunks to accommodate the substantial cargo of food needed for his expedition.
No record, but back on schedule
The day of departure from the port of La Trinité approaches. For Maignan, the aim is not to beat a record, but to get back to work in time. Three weeks after the start, Alain Maignan found himself facing rough seas, where he broke his ribs when he fell on the helm. Despite these setbacks, he climbed to the top of the mast to repair some faulty halyards, but found himself stuck at the top. He recalls: " I was stuck up there, I couldn't get back down! When I came down, I said to myself, 'You're going to make it... But I hadn't done half of it! "
The physical ordeals multiplied, with several capsizings in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In these difficult moments, alone at sea and away from any official competition, Alain Maignan shares his thoughts with his boat, even considering the possibility of sinking together: " I've capsized several times: three times in the Indian Ocean, four times in the Pacific. This was a tough one. I was on my own, not part of a race. I said to myself, 'If we're going to sink, we're both going to sink (talking to my boat) and then it's over "
185 days later, he succeeded in his gamble by returning to the port of La Trinité.
