It is an exciting, keynote moment. Before each big ocean race the pre-start briefing brings together all the skippers, all 40 of them in the same room at the same time. It is a moment appreciated by the skippers themselves who get to catch up together and compare ideas and emotions just a couple of days before the big send off. And for the public and the media it is an ideal opportunity to see the skippers in person. And for the autograph hunters….it is the best of times!
The smiles were wide but for many the stress and rising tension is still evident. The forecast might be good for the weather but there is plenty to worry about. Fog is forecast for the early morning and 40 IMOCAs in a relatively compact area requires considerable vigilance. Body language speaks volumes hugs and handshakes are no longer done to protect oneself as much as possible. Sébastien Simon (Groupe Dubreuil) even showed up with a mask, additional protection and a distant memory of the health situation during the last edition.
The room is oppressively warm and the atmosphere heavy. Maximum concentration. The silence is only broken by the low voice the English translator for the non French skippers. Alain Leboeuf, president of the Vendée Globe and the Vendée Departmental Council, addressed the sailors.
"I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for what you have brought to the public, the media, the partners. The Vendée Globe is first and foremost about you and the exploits that you are about to achieve".
The rest was of the time was devoted to the weather situation and those delivering key briefing information. All concur that the weather will be quite gentle for the first hours of the race. "In the starting area, a small trough is sinking into the Bay of Biscay," explained the forecaster from Météo France. "It is not yet positioned in the same place according to the different models, but the east, south-east wind should be 5 to 10 knots."
"We will be able to send strong messages"
There could be fog in the morning which should dissipate at the beginning of the afternoon, especially further offshore. That situation is being closely monitored by race management and the skippers, trying to prevent any chance of collisions as much as possible.
"To the all the boats sanctioned by the organisers as well as to the general public, we can send strong messages if the situation requires it," assured Hubert Lemonnier, the Race Director.
From the first night of racing, the wind should strengthen especially approaching the acceleration zone at Cape Finisterre. But even so winds should be less than 30kts but there will be a swell of about three metres from the opposite direction to the wind.
The start, a real logistical challenge.
At the end of the briefing on the weather conditions there was a briefing about the ice exclusion zone (ZEA). Comprehensive surveillance is carried out throughout the race and the zone will be adjusted accordingly. Version 1 of the exclusion zone remains unchanged from Version 0 confirming no greater threat.
Race management explained the dock out. Each boat will cast off from the pontoon every three minutes. And so all the boats should have left the Port Olona dock and will move down the Channel at around three knots.
The starting line will be marked by the position of the Maritime Affairs Patrol Boat and a 3.50-meter buoy. As a reminder, the last crew member on board must jump into the water before 5 minutes before the start. At that point the skipper is alone and in race mode.
They must not jump the line and be over the start line before the starting gun. They must only cross after the gun and up to 60 minutes after. If they cross early there is a statutory 4 hour penalty.
But before the start there is still so much to be accomplished and enjoyed.
They said
Justine Mettraux (SUI, Teamwork-Team SNEF): “I feel pretty calm, I know that we're going to start in fairly easy conditions and that the wind will come in gently downwind so it's pretty nice to be able to start the first days of racing like that. The briefing allowed us to get all the little things back in our heads and then to be clear with what the organization has set up.”
Sébastien Marsset (FOUSSIER): “Just two short days left to finish getting ready and check the weather, and then I want to enjoy a bit of time with my team and my loved ones this afternoon. I can enjoy the fact the boat is ready and we are leaving in easy conditions, it lightens the pressure of the departure a little, that's for sure. I really want to be at sea, I'm staying right in front of Paracou beach and every evening I see the sea, and I say aaah now it's going to be for three months non-stop, I can't wait. I'm trying to be zen.”
Boris Herrmann (GER Malizia-Seaexplorer): “It is nice not to be starting into a big storm and so I feel a bit more relaxed about that. We should be good in the very light, we are the quickest boat in less than eight knots as I believe we have the smallest wetted surface with the round surface of the hull – theoretically the smallest would be a round sphere – and we are close to that. We have had a good build up nicely spread out over four years. It is so different to last time when I was really worried about testing positive for COVID and not being allowed to start. But I enjoy it this time being able to see people and enjoy it. But I am actually much more nervous this time, I don’t know why. I am super nervous.”
Jingkun XI (CHN, Singchain Team Haikou): “I am very excited and a little nervous. The start looks good for the spectators which is good as we have a lot of people over from China for the start. I think it will be good for them.”
