Damien Seguin is the Vendée Globe skipper who knows the magic of the Olympic and Paralympic Games best. He competed in four consecutive Olympics from 2004 to 2016. The native of Briançon won three medals, including two golds, in Athens and Rio, and was also flag-bearer for the French delegation in London (2012). Since choosing ocean racing, Damien has been keeping a close eye on Olympic sports. As a member of the French Paralympic team's coaching staff, he is getting ready to experience the Olympics from the inside. Although he didn't go to Marseille to watch the sailing events, he will be going to watch handball in Lille, as well as athletics, water polo and taekwondo in Paris.
Damien Seguin: "feeding off the energy of the Olympics"
He is the most "Olympian" of the Vendée Globe skippers. The APICIL Group sailor has competed in four Olympics and won two gold medals. He will be part of the French Paralympic team's support team and will be attending events in Lille and Paris this week. But first, he looks back at the excitement surrounding the Olympics, talks about the French sailing team and draws some parallels with ocean racing.
Damien Seguin, JO de Londres
© Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy / Word Sailing
Vendée Globe :
You took part in four Paralympic Games as an athlete. How do you feel about these Olympic Games in Paris?
Damien Seguin
GROUPE APICIL
Like a huge party! It's incredible to see the enthusiasm of the public in the stadiums, on television and on the radio. There's a great atmosphere, the venues are magnificent and the public are out in force. And the French team is shining. The first week has been ideal and has given French sport a great image. France was expected to deliver in terms of sport and organisation, and it did.
Damien Seguin, JO de Londres
© Damien Seguin
Dealing with pressure is the hardest part.
Damien Seguin
GROUPE APICIL
Vendée Globe :
You're familiar with all the major events, the Vendée Globe, the Olympic and Paralympic Games... Are there any bridges to be built between them?
Damien Seguin
GROUPE APICIL
Yes, even if they seem totally different. What's interesting from a sporting point of view is that there's the same routine with four-year cycles. It's a time frame that I've mastered well by now. To achieve high goals, you need to surround yourself with the right people, plan your preparation over the short, medium and long term... In terms of performance, you need to manage the pressure well, which is the most difficult thing.
Vendée Globe :
Are there methods used for the mental preparation of athletes that can be used when you're a skipper?
Damien Seguin
GROUPE APICIL
Yes, totally. Having been around this world for several years, I know that one of the essential elements is mental preparation, the ability to cope with the pressure of results and the pressure of failure. The most important thing is to try not to let things happen to you. I talk a lot about this to young people who are going to be competing in their first Paralympic Games: you have to do everything you can to be ready on D-Day without putting yourself under any extra pressure. For some, pressure is galvanising, but for others it prevents them from expressing themselves calmly.
Damien Seguin
© Damien Seguin
I hope that the sailing medal will act as a trigger.
Damien Seguin
GROUPE APICIL
Vendée Globe :
How do you feel about the first week of sailing competition?
Damien Seguin
GROUPE APICIL
Although barely half of the French athletes entered the competition, we could have hoped for a medal in each heat. Fortunately, Charline Picon and Sarah Steyaert won bronze! I hope that this first podium will allow the others to let go and that it will act as a trigger.
Vendée Globe :
How would you describe the Marseilles race zone?
Damien Seguin
GROUPE APICIL
We knew it was going to be very complicated. The test event that took place there in July last year was a trompe-l'oeil as the conditions were magical. Here, the conditions are more like summer around the harbour. Most of the regattas take place in light airs or are postponed. Having already experienced the Olympics on complicated waters, I know that it can be nerve-wracking! And then the fact of being far from Paris, not being in the fervour of the Olympic village, doesn't allow you to get the most out of the event. It must be hard for some athletes.
Vendée Globe :
The bronze medal in the 49er is the story of one athlete changing series (Charline Picon) and another (Sarah Steyaert) taking a break from her sporting career... Are these inspiring journeys?
Damien Seguin
GROUPE APICIL
Yes, totally, it shows that you can change, especially in sailing. It's a sport where experience allows you to have a long career, even if it's still very physical. What's more, taking a break can sometimes be a lifesaver. People always think you're stagnating if you don't do anything. But every time I've had to take a break - because of an injury, a change of series or because of my studies - I've come back stronger afterwards. It helps you to think about the direction you want your project to take, so you have more foresight when you set off again.
Vendée Globe :
We've passed the symbolic 100-day mark before the start of the next Vendée Globe... What state of mind are you in?
Damien Seguin
GROUPE APICIL
We're on schedule with the APICIL Group sailing team. The work was completed on Friday evening and the whole team left for a fortnight's holiday. I wanted us to get it right, to be on time so that they could have a well-deserved rest. And we'll be back at the end of the month well rested for the final stretch! As for me, I'll be feeding off the energy of the Olympics to come back even more motivated!
