It's no secret tha tphysical preparation is one of the tools that optimize and improve sporting performance. In order to increase their skills and reach their goals, ocean racers need to develop skills such as speed, vivacity, power, explosiveness and flexibility, which are excellent ways of limiting the risk of injury and improving mobility, which is not always easy onboard a boat that leans, bangs or spins at supersonic speeds. "Physical preparation is not at the top of the sailors' job-list, but it is nonetheless one of their priorities. Their boats have become very uncomfortable, very powerful, very fast and therefore very physical, which demands a lot of energy. In the work I do with them, the emphasis is on reathletizing and anticipating injuries", explains Stéphane Eliot, a sports coach who works with Jérémie Beyou (Charal), Clarisse Cremer (L'Occitane en Provence), Violette Dorange (Devenir), Thomas Ruyant and Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) and Kojiro Shiraishi (DMG MORI Global One).
Develop your physical qualities to optimize your performance
In order to improve their performance in a holistic way, Vendée Globe sailors work on various aspects such as technical mastery, tactics, nutrition, sleep, mental health but also physical preparation. In addition to serving their discipline by developing their physical qualities and optimizing their results, physical preparation also plays a part in recovery and injury prevention. It is therefore quite simply indispensable, especially at a time when IMOCA boats are becoming ever more powerful and demanding.
to avoid being overwhelmed by the boat
"All of them have great physical qualities. They usually swim, run, cycle, rowing machine or leisure sports such as wingsurfing or surfing on their own, while in our sessions, which are generally one-to-one, the emphasis is on proprioception and muscle strengthening", continues the former karate instructor, who works with them on breathing and sheathing exercices to improve their posture and activate their deep muscles for better transmission of forces between the lower and upper body, but also for a prophylactic effect. In short: for greater resistance, mobility and functionality. "At sea, it's important that skippers keep control of their bodies, that they don't submit to their boat at the risk of becoming weakened and no longer efficient", confirms Maxime Sorel (V and B - Monbana - Mayenne), who chose to collaborate with the 321 Perform center based in Alex, near Annecy.
from physical to cognitive
"Equipped with new technologies, this structure works with a large number of athletes, including racing drivers such as Esteban Ocon. It relies on science to develop the physical, mental, cognitive axes, specific to each individual's universe" explains the Cancal native, who attaches particular importance to his general physical preparation, as well as his specific one. "I like to try putting numbers on things and, of course, do them as well as possible", adds the civil engineer who began working with the Haute-Savoie center ahead of his ascent of Everest in May 2023. A challenge which, like that of sailing around the world single-handed, unassisted and non-stop, requires rigorous preparation, both physical and mental.
optimize every detail
"In addition to physical training, fun activities focused on well-being and nutritional support, the 321 Perform teams help me to assess brain functions such as the ability to work under stress, make decisions in an emergency, reactivity... Together we've also worked on the notion of noise, which we can't ignore on our IMOCA boats. This helps me to understand what oxygen the brain consumes when it's tired, to find automatisms or to improve certain things like our on-board display screens, which are actually too small and not colorful enough, or our textile handrails, which are too small, which can create points of compression on the body and generate unnecessary energy losses", explains Maxime Sorel, who likes to explore every detail of his preparation, but also to set himself regular challenges, the latest of which was the CCC (Courmayeur - Champex - Chamonix) with its 101 kilometers and 6100 meters of positive ascent last August. "It's part of my lifestyle" says the skipper of V and B - Monbana - Mayenne, who trains at least five times a week.
be able to push back your limits
The same goes for Sébastien Simon (Dubreuil Group). A lifelong sports enthusiast, Sébastien takes part in a wide range of activities, not just to perform on the water. "It's a necessity for me. I need it for my balance. Doing something allows me to clear my head, and the older I get, the more I can do it" says the Sables d'Olonne native, who is a high-intensity cyclist, runner and swimmer - he took part in the Ironman 70.3 in Les Sables d'Olonne in 2022, and plans to take part in the Ironman in the same place next year. "Since my accident during the Retour à La Base in December 2023 (fractured neck, ed.), I've incorporated muscle strengthening into my program in order to reshape my neck and upper body, but also to gain power, as sailing an IMOCA today is very tough. They're very demanding boats, and you have to be able to take it over the long haul, as a round-the-world race lasts around 80 days", comments Sébastien, who, like all his rivals, ultimately likes nothing more than to constantly push back his limits, surpassing himself, discovering new abilities, and experiencing the adrenalin and pleasure associated with new experiences.
