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Before casting off for the Transat Jacques Vabre, the atmosphere on the pontoons in Le Havre is a mixture of tension and well-honed rituals. With just a few hours to go before the start, the skippers' duos are deceptively calm. But aboard Paprec Arkéa, the tone is lighter. Yoann Richomme, two-time winner of the Route du Rhum and second in the last Vendée Globe, is reunited with Corentin Horeau, accomplice and sharp challenger. The two sailors take part in our series of offbeat, onboard-camera interviews.
A friendly atmosphere, far from the pressure
When asked to define themselves, the answers are unfiltered: "smart and ar(r)nish for one, "impatient and... impatient again" for the other. The complicity is palpable, punctuated by unexpected gastronomic confessions: one is preparing to hide the candy, the other to devour all the chocolate. It's not certain that the food will last all the way to the West Indies.
Rituals, lucky socks and underpants
On board, everyone has their own little ritual. Corentin slips a pair of star-spangled underpants into his bag, Yoann his tricolored socks. Between superstitions and racing automatism, nothing is left to chance. Except perhaps the shower and family time, which seem to be the most eagerly awaited elements... at the finish.
Pilots, Starlink and fun at sea
Technophiles, the two skippers are banking on the new generation of autopilots and the comfort of the Starlink to manage communication. But what drives them remains simple: says Yoann. Fatigue? We fight it with a double breakfast or a good English breakfast. Before taking a restorative nap.
Seafood recipes and savoury souvenirs
Their dream dish on arrival? Smoked chicken. Their fondest memory at sea? Sunrise over the Canaries. Their first time on the water? Breton cruises, with family, or aboard a dinghy. Answers that remind us that all great sailors began somewhere, often with their feet in the water and their hands in the foam.
Ecology, values and a message to earthlings
On-board energy, recycling, solar panels... the management on board follows a logic of economy. When it comes to values, the words fall without thinking: self-sacrifice, fighting spirit, versatility. And to conclude, a message to the people of Earth? "Thank you to all those who support us, and there are many of them" . Sober and sincere.
