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With just a few hours to go before the start, Vincent Riou welcomes us aboard his Class40, in the midst of weather preparations. No big speeches, just a spontaneous, frank and sometimes grating exchange, as is his wont. The sailor from Finistère, winner of the Vendée Globe in 2004, is embarking on a slightly different adventure, based on sharing and transmission. His teammate? An enlightened amateur who, until two years ago, only knew ocean racing from its televised image.
An unexpected but assertive duo
" This is no ordinary transatlantic race "says Riou from the outset. No quest for the podium this time. But a clear desire: to pass on. The desire to compete isn't tucked away in a watertight box, but it's expressed in a different way. " We don't have the same weapons as the others, so we're banking on something else." . Aboard the Class40 Pierreval Fondation GoodPlanet, learning is an ongoing process, from sail trim to strategic choices. And it seems to be working.
The habits of an old sailor
When asked what he misses on board, the answer is: "I'm not sure My bed!" . That's all it takes to understand that comfort is not on the agenda. And when it comes to good luck charms, Riou packs the classics: family photos. Nothing esoteric, just human.
Her pre-departure ritual? " Never let up in the last days" . Because, as is often the case, the devil is in the detail. And at sea, details are expensive.
On board, the real thing
No state-of-the-art electronics or unnecessary gadgets. The key piece of equipment for Riou is the remote control for his autopilot, " always around the neck" . Today's pilot is the third crew member. More reliable than humans 80% of the time, he says.
For hard times, or joyful ones, there's music. Well-stocked playlists, without electro, " not like what we'll hear tonight in the village" . And a rib steak on arrival, if possible. Because, yes, he's still a bit of a carnivore," he admits frankly.
A sailor who contemplates, again and again
Thirty-two years into his career, eleven departures from Le Havre, and yet he continues to marvel. " The ocean remains a place to contemplate" . A phrase that sums up his state of mind: lucid, but not jaded.
Watch the video
If you've got three minutes to spare, don't miss this offbeat interview. It's raw, sometimes funny, always sincere. Watch it on Bateaux.com, in our series of interviews from the pontoons of Le Havre.
