it is a special day to arrive, ahead of the crowds. No hustle and bustle, no crowds, the excitement of the big days is a fair way off yet. But it was a key moment the preparations are over and their great adventure can start now in a little over three weeks.
Most took the chance to sail for 48 hours or more and make some final checks. It’s final opportunity to test the boat in Vendée Globe configuration with all the equipment on board. They could test the sails, fine-tune the settings one last time and also enjoy themselves, especially since the conditions were very nice. Alan Roura (Hublot) left last night from Lorient "after putting the children to bed" at pretty much the same time that Louis Duc (Fives Group - Lantana Environnement) had just arrived in Les Sables d'Olonne "with only fishermen and Jacques Caraës (from race management) to welcome us".
Damien Seguin (Groupe APICIL) said he had " taken the opportunity to work on small things on the boat", Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com) tried a new spinnaker while Sam Goodchild (Vulnerable) speaks of "a few checks with the technical team". "The conditions were beautiful with a nice swell and the full moon" specified Jérémie Beyou (Charal). "We had a beautiful full moon and especially quite a swell like every time we arrive in Les Sables d'Olonne", smiled Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable).
Going up the channel, “a very good feeling”
It was also one of the last moments, with a small crew, to enjoy the open sea. Aboard Foussier, Sébastien Marsset’s wife came with the technical team so “we could share a moment together before the big start” according to the skipper. On Charal, Jérémie Beyou and the crew had a special guest on board: Franck Cammas. “He had just returned from Barcelona (and the America’s Cup) and he had lots of things to tell,” grinned Jérémie about Franck who has been with him since the construction of his current boat.
Going up the channel, everyone had different ways of experiencing the moment. “It’s an thing we all know: the channel, the shops that we can see… It’s a very good feeling,” smiles Alan Roura. "The next time we sail along the channel, it will be the big start," enthuses Guirec Soudée. "There is no tension or apprehension, explains Fabrice Amedeo (Nexans – Wewise). I have a hard time telling myself that we are here for the Vendée Globe. We will have time to get into everything.”
"It's starting to click!"
There were a few people out on the channel walls and round the dock. "I've been here since 2007," jokes Arnaud Boissières. So, too local ace Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) remarks: "it's nice to see all these boats on the Vendée Globe pontoon. It means we're here and getting ready to go, the pressure is going to start to build. We’ll have to enjoy the moment.”
And there is adopted Les Sables native, Denis Van Weynbergh (D’Ieteren Group): “It’s nice to see everyone arriving. There’s a bit of emotion and a bit of pride too. Now, we’re in the event. We feel like it’s coming together and starting to rock!” A broad smile lights up his face, like that of Guirec Soudée who doesn’t hide his impatience: “I can’t wait to go. All that’s left to do is drop my lines and go for the grand tour!”
