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On the quays of Le Havre, the departure routine settles in. Final checks, final adjustments, final exchanges. Aboard the Imoca 4CAD - La Mie Câline, Benjamin Dutreux and Arnaud Boissières are getting ready to cross the Atlantic. But before they set off for the Transat Jacques Vabre 2023, they're ready to be interviewed without oilskins or barometers.
A bond forged in salt and miles
"Better to have him on board than as a direct competitor." Benjamin Dutreux makes no secret of his admiration for Boissières, nicknamed "Cali", who is about to embark on his 34th Atlantic crossing. One knows the Vendée Globe like the others know their own backyard, while the other has already tried his hand at it twice. This duo works without overacting, at the crossroads of experience and transmission.
To each his own ritual, to each his own mania
Behind the mutual respect, we also discover well-established habits: Benjamin always starts off in jeans, Arnaud never leaves his coffee mug. And in their bags, no absurd grigris but symbolic objects: a Playmobil offered by Boissières' son, with a photo of his birth. Between gentle superstition and family attachment.
Spartan comfort and well-chosen delicacies
What's missing on board? The answer is: "Nothing... except family". And when it comes to the little pleasures on board, canned sardines win the day. There's also talk of a post-Canary culinary surprise, carefully kept secret. A convivial, no-frills atmosphere. No need for truffles or champagne when sardines do the trick.
Technical challenges as seen by seasoned riders
When asked about technology, Benjamin points to the progress made in digital onboard management. Arnaud Boissières, on the other hand, focuses on the sensation of flight and the possibilities offered by foils, although he is lucid in his nuances. In this case, there's no calibrated discourse on innovation, but a real reflection on the current limits and real uses in racing.
An ode to the sea and those who support it
The interview ends on a sincere note: gratitude to the shore teams and a wink to the young enthusiasts who came to see the boats. "I was that kid, too, at the start of the Rhum..." confides Cali. We've almost come full circle. There's still a deckchair to be made, and maybe a few mugs to be filled.
