Final words before the start

I'm in great shape. I haven't slept too much, but you know what it's like on the eve of the start! I'm really happy to be here. The weather conditions are pretty good. We're going to get off to a gentle start. It's a change from some of the Vendée Globe's we've experienced. I'm delighted to see all these beautiful boats and this fine line-up here in Les Sables d'Olonne. It's going to be a great adventure and a great race. For the start, there'll be plenty to get on with. We're going to take it easy. For my part, I'm going to take what there is to take. We know that the wind will strengthen in the Bay of Biscay. We should get out to the wind fairly quickly and have it downwind, so we're not going to complain. There's always a bit of stress. You never know how things are going to turn out. It's a new story to write. Of course there's the stress of saying goodbye to our life on land, to all our friends and family, but there's also the stress of the departure itself. We're going to have to manage the large number of boats on the water and the line. I think we'll be a lot better by the end of the afternoon.

I slept ok - I still had a lot of things to sort out and do so my brain was going at a million miles an hour. But this morning I woke up and I’m pumped, absolutely pumped, 

I think everyone just wants to get away safely - that’s all we can ask.  We know the breeze will build and we’ll be able to get sailing - it’s better this at the start than 30 knots of wind.

I was very excited last night. I wouldn’t say that I slept well, but I know that before a race I won’t sleep. So I had a good sleep one night before – now I’m well rested and really looking forward to the start and being alone on the sea. The weather is quite nice - it’s perfect for the spectators, with light breeze so everyone can follow us. After that I hope we can get some good wind and go straight to the south.

This is my fifth Vendée Globe start. There are always a lot of emotions and I'm not approaching it as if I know everything. There's a lot of apprehension, but also a lot of desire. It's wonderful to see so many people in Les Sables d'Olonne! My last night ashore didn't go too well. I didn't sleep very well, obviously, but it's still a great feeling. The start of a circumnavigation is a hard moment, but it's also a beautiful one to experience. The conditions are indeed very mild for setting off, but it's almost a bit scary because you think that if it's cool now, it might be even harder later! (Laughs) More seriously, it's good that it's cool. In 2008, for example, it was hot. This time, we're going out a bit more relaxed!

I'm in great shape and overjoyed to be here. Storm, zero knots... I'm taking it all in! I'm so happy to be going! I can't wait to get going! Four years ago, there was nobody there because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Coming out of the channel with all the crowds is one of the most symbolic elements of the race and I'm very happy to experience that this year. I've got some revenge to take on the race. It wasn't far off last time: two hours and a bit out of 80 days at sea. I'm going to try to do better than last time. In any case, I'm going to give it my all. It's going to be a great race, I'm sure. There's a very high level of competition this year. I enjoyed my last night in a real bed and a hot shower before January, as well as my last moments with Perrine, my wife, and Oscar, my son.I'm really happy to be taking part in this race again!

I didn't sleep that well but I expected that and I was prepared for it. I woke up a couple of times but I'm still in good shape. As for the conditions, I've conditioned myself to take what's there – the weather is what it is anyway. We're not going to let ourselves be tricked, because from Cape Finisterre onwards we're going to have to concentrate hard. The nice thing is that I've got a spinnaker that says ‘Benjamin has sent the glitch’, and I'll be able to send it out from the very first days of the race! I feel like I've got a huge thing deep down inside me and I think I'll let it go when I'm all alone on my boat. I said goodbye to my family a week ago. What moves me is imagining everyone together. I've got photos of my mates who have been on the embankment since this morning. All my family are there too. The Vendée Globe's ability to bring people together, when we're going to be setting off on our own, I find really powerful. I have no idea how I'm going to cope with the exit from the channel. Since this morning, I have to admit that it's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.

You're looking at the happiest man in the world! At last, we're off to do the Vendée Globe. I've been thinking about it for 10 years and feel very privileged to be here. It's going to be an incredible adventure, even if it won't always be easy. The main aim will be to get back here, to Les Sables d'Olonne. My last night ashore was pretty good. I woke up at around 2-3am thinking I was on my boat, only to find that I was in a real bed, completely dry. I was a bit disappointed! This time, I'm leaving on my own, without my chicken Monique, but I'm sure I'm going to meet some great people at sea. There's a crazy atmosphere. It's something I've been hearing about for a long time. I've heard there are 400,000 people lining the canal - it's a great crowd before you find yourself on your own. I'm going to try and make the most of it. All this is new for me. We're being watched from all sides, but it's so much fun to share in it. The Vendée Globe is a great adventure - a lot is bound to happen.

There's a lot of excitement at the moment. At times like this, you're a bit at the mercy of everything. You're carried along by the flow and there's not much you can control. The exit from the canal is going to be crazy and I'm a bit apprehensive. I think I'm going to ease off the pressure a bit after the start. Maybe not five minutes later, but half an hour later. I did that in my first two Vendée Globe races. Once I'd crossed the line, I felt a sort of relief and I think it's going to be the same this time. I'm going to say to myself: ‘This is it, here we go! I can sail!

I'm super calm. I’m not even boiling inside, but I'm enjoying every minute of it because it's incredible, in a lifetime, to take part in the start of a Vendée Globe. I was lucky enough to do it in 2016 and then again in 2020, even if that year was unusual with Covid-19. The start of this 10th edition is really incredible.There are a lot of people and I think that on the water, it's going to be crazy. I think this round the world race is going to be huge. There's been a lot of love and kindness during these three weeks at the start from everyone present. The public have a real passion for this adventure and for this race. It's extraordinary and I'm very lucky. It's great to set off in calm weather. I think it will be great to have the first storms in the Southern Ocean, rather than in the Bay of Biscay.

Leaving the canal, we're going to experience it as we should. I'm going to let myself be carried along and see what happens. I'm happy to be here. It was already a victory for me to be at the start. The next one is to be at the finish. This moment is really nothing but pleasure. What's more, the weather is very favourable and that takes a lot of pressure off a start that could have been a real boat-breaker. After three weeks in the race village, with lots of people and lots of emotions, it will give some calm time to digest everything.

Like a lot of people, I was woken up at 5 o'clock this morning by people shouting and singing in the streets of Les Sables d'Olonne, but as I'd gone to sleep early, I had a great night anyway. I've already experienced the exit from the canal in 2020, but this time I'm preparing to do it with crowds, so it will be a different story. A Vendée Globe start is inevitably magical. I think it's a privilege to experience and do this. I'm delighted. I'm surrounded by my wife, my partners and the guys in my team, who are at the heart of the project. It's a great moment. It's the culmination of a lot of hard work and it's something extraordinary!

It’s very special here and very intense – you have to savour this moment. We’ve all worked very hard to be here and it’s all culminating here now – I have very strong feelings inside. Four years ago I was on Hugo Boss with Alex (Thomson) in the channel, so I kind of know what it is. It will be very special and a memory to keep inside. When it gets difficult in the race it will be good to think back to this moment.

It's a first for me to set off on a non-stop solo round the world voyage. It's something I haven't done before. I had a good night. The boat is ready. The weather is perfect: we really couldn't have wished for a better start. All that's left is to make sure that the skipper is ready. I hope he is (laughs).

I'm ready and I have a good boat. It's been a short night. We will have to get over the emotions of leaving the channel and then I'll be fine. I can't wait to get out to sea and start sailing. The weather forecast for the start is good for everyone. It promises to be a bit tactical. There's going to be plenty to do. We should have a slightly windy passage around Cape Finisterre, with a lot of manoeuvres, sail choices and decisions to make!

The excitement is building now, but it's going to be especially strong in the canal. I think there are a lot of people waiting for us. We're here for the public and the public are here for us: it makes a great team! I'm pretty calm. The weather forecast for this start will require a degree of ‘zenitude’.

I slept well. I woke up once or twice but overall my last night ashore was a good one. Today is the culmination of four years of very hard work and it's clearly already a first victory to be here. Having done the Vendée Globe once, I know just how much work lies ahead of me to reach the end of the adventure. I will try to take all the positives out of the canal, because four years ago we weren't able to experience it in this way because of the Covid-19 epidemic. This time, it changes everything. It's great to see a crowd like this and I'm making the most of it, taking all the positives with me!

I'm in great shape. I'm better than I thought I'd be and that's good. The pressure is gradually building. My family are on the pontoon and it's a pleasure to have them by my side. I'm trying to make the most of these last few moments ashore because they are, of course, special. I'm almost more dreading the exit from the canal than the Vendée Globe itself at the moment!

 As the start approaches, I'm already unloading a lot of emotions. It's been a lot of work to get here and that's great. With each Vendée Globe, I ask myself if I really belong here, but I'm really proud. I am both looking forward to going down the canal and a little afraid.

I'd like to say to myself that this is it, that it's a success because we're at the start and now it's the sea and the wind that will write the rest, but I can't do it because I'm a competitor. I will remain under pressure right to the finish line. The Vendée Globe is a competition, not a walk in the park. I'm really happy and proud to have made it this far, but the job isn't finished yet. However, I'm allowing myself a little emotion. I can't hide the fact that, with Clarisse also taking the start, it isn't easy. I can't wait to get down the channel. There's no need to dread it as it's a unique moment in life. You have to enjoy it and savour it. I can't wait, but the job's not finished yet!

Last night, I saw all the hours go by but I still slept quite well. It was clearly the night before the start. I ate quickly and then spent some time with my family. There are a lot of emotions – I've already let go of some this morning and will continue to do so. Above all, I'm going to try to make the most of the last few hours that remain before I really immerse myself in the race and get back to what I love to do and what I'm here for, the Vendée Globe!

 For the moment, I'm fine, I'm pretty calm but I know that at the start there's going to be a bit of stress. We're going to have to get off to a clean start and not take any risks. We know that there are going to be a lot of boats on the water and that we're going to have to concentrate. The tension will ease once we're a bit clear of all that, a bit further out to sea. I want to make the most of the trip down the canal. It's great to see so many people everywhere.

I slept well until 4am. Then I woke up because I was staying on next to the canal embankment and I could hear the noise outside. People got up very early to go along the channel and were singing. In that context, on a day like today, you say to yourself: ‘You've got to go now, man!’ (Laughs) I wasn't under any pressure until Friday, but yesterday things got a bit more intense. Now I'm starting to really want to go. It's strong, it takes hold and at some point, you want to get into the thick of things! I'm pretty happy with the conditions at the start. I like it better with light winds, when you have time to get into it. However, rounding Cape Finisterre leaves a few questions unanswered about a number of things. The weather pattern forecast off the tip of Spain isn't very common!

I've been trying to manage the three weeks – and the last three years – well, really taking it all in. And I've tried to organise myself well to do things during these three weeks, saying goodbye to lots of people as I go along, so today I'm free enough to concentrate on the race and then enjoy the last few moments in public. I'm trying not to do everything at once and not to get overwhelmed by the emotions, which isn't really my style. But the canal is great and we have three hours afterwards to come back down a bit, but yes, you have to deal with all that. It's also why you do the Vendée Globe I think. After that, I think it's easier for us to have the strong emotions at the finish, because now we have a circumnavigation to do and a start to make, but that doesn't stop us enjoying it all the same.

It's a great victory to be here today because there have been a lot of ups and downs to get here. The ‘goodbyes’ with my little daughter are over, so the hardest part is over. I experienced the emotion of my first Vendée Globe four years ago. This time, I'm experiencing the thrill of sailing down the famous canal. It's great and, frankly, it's impressive to experience all the excitement, which resembles that of a giant funfair or a football World Cup! It's really great fun and I think we're going to get a bit lost once we're at sea, as it's a bit too much for us, as we're going to be all alone on our boats for three months. The transition is likely to be a bit rough. Right now, I'm smiling, it's fun and I'm enjoying the moment, but I know that there's going to come a time when we're going to have to get back into the race. It's not necessarily going to be easy, but I'm prepared. What can I hope for? First of all to finish, to go a bit faster than last time and above all to experience moments of joy at sea, because that's what I'm going to be looking for.

I'm really proud to be here. I've worked hard to get here and today I'm here. I can't wait to say goodbye to my loved ones, but above all I can't wait to get out on the water!

This isn't my first Vendée Globe, but it's bigger and more intense every time. It's full of emotions and I'm so happy to be here. I'm lucky enough to have a really great time and I really haven't had much pressure until now. Now it's up to me to finish the job for the whole team, so today's the day things start to heat up. The start is a detail after all. There's going to be some downwind sailing soon after that, but it's still great to know that we're not going to break any boats in the first three days.

There are a lot of emotions. I've never experienced a Vendée Globe start without Covid-19, which is pretty crazy. I can't wait to get out to sea. The start will be quite relaxed and that's great because everything is in place for the public compared to four years ago. The wind will soon pick up again. We're going to be patient and then it will take off!

This is an incredible incredible day and it marks the end of an insane and incredible journey that has brought me here. Just getting this boat and this team to the start line today was three years of really non-stop work. But I started this adventure in 2007, when I dared to come to France, to learn a new language and to create a new life for myself by getting involved in the Vendée Globe. It’s an incredible chapter of my life – I’m very excited about it, very proud of it and now I can’t wait to get going.

Honestly, it's nothing but happiness! I'm so happy to be here. There are lots of emotions and I just want to enjoy it.

 I slept surprisingly well for the eve of the Vendée Globe. I can't wait to set off. I'm delighted to be one of the first to leave the pontoon. I'm going to have a little nap before the start and then work on the weather with my team. I'm really looking forward to this evening, out in the open sea, under the big gennaker, going all out, but the atmosphere is really incredible. There are people everywhere! D-Day is always a bit stressful, but I'm storing up all the energy here for the difficult times ahead. It's an honour to have this beautiful boat, Initiatives Cœur. I'm proud because we've worked hard and achieved some good results over the past two seasons, but I'm not putting too much pressure on myself either because it's a huge opportunity. I'm just going to carry on sailing as I have in previous races and try to put the pressure on those in front rather than on me!

There are many emotions! It's a crazy start format. It's quite incredible! It depends on the moment, but it's definitely a bit gut-wrenching. It's great and I'm really proud to be having these moments. I'm going to try to live them to the full and get back into racing mode fairly quickly so I can get away from it all and make a good start to the Vendée Globe!

Eight years ago, I set off without knowing where I was going, I didn't have a family and left 'with a flower in my rifle'. Now I have a family, I know exactly what I'm going to do, well not everything, I know it won't always be easy and at the same time I'm really happy to be going! My team and I have worked hard for four years, so we've got all these crazy mixed emotions, and that's why we're doing this kind of adventure.

It was a short night, which is normal, but I'd slept well beforehand so it's fine.

We've done a lot of work over the past few years and now we're back together at the start, so it's great. It's extraordinary! There are a lot of emotions. I'm trying to contain them, but I can't!

There's a lot of joy. I can't wait to leave. I'm really excited. I'm very impressed by the warm welcome and by all the people who are here and who weren't here four years ago. It's really a unique moment and I'm making the most of it because in a few hours I'll have the pleasure of being alone at sea, but also because I know that this is the last time in my life. I'm very happy!

Emotions have to be expressed and there are a lot of them! We're sailors but we're also humans. There's joy, pride and many other things. I want to say a big thank you to everyone, whether it's my team who have prepared a great boat, or my family who are doing me the pleasure of being here today, as well as my friends and sponsors... We're one big family and today we're celebrating something great!

I’ve been imagining the grandeur of this event for a long time and today, finally, I can feel the warmth and enthusiasm of the French public and also of the many Chinese who came to watch the start and encourage me. I hope that in the future there will be more skippers from my country taking part in the incredible event that is the Vendée Globe!