Many teams nominate a replacement sailor who has the necessary experience and training to step into the breach if this unlikely event happened. So far in the history of the Vendée Globe it never has, but it has previously on the Route du Rhum and the Barcelona World Race.
Among those in reserve are Yann Eliès who could deputise for Yoann Richomme (PAPREC ARKÉA), Franck Cammas for Jérémie Beyou (Charal). Briton Will Harris is reserve skipper for Germany’s Boris Herrmann (Malizia-Seaexplorer) and Justine ‘Juju’ Mettraux (TeamWork-Team Snef) has her long time sailing counterpart Julien Villion, who like Harris has sailed many thousands of miles on the IMOCA.
Aiming 2028
Harris, who is aiming to be on the start line for the 11th edition of the Vendée Globe in 2028, has shared the responsibilities and the workload coming into this race to ensure he could go and start at a moment’s notice. The chances are now, of course, absolutely minimal but he notes:
“ It is slightly strange build up to this one because I have been a replacement skipper for Boris for other races, like the Route du Rhum and so on, but then there is the remote prospect of being away for say two or three weeks. But this time it would be three months. There are so many more elements this time. Last time I was a replacement for Boris but I was 26 and did not have many responsibilities. But actually I have my wife and also a baby due any time now. And so we have spoken about it and I got the ‘sign off.’ But at five days to go the chances now are so remote. But you have that little thing in your head...”
Harris has actually sailed as many miles on the IMOCA as Boris other than this year’s back to back Transatlantics,
“The really good thing with my role is that I have prepared for this race like I am doing it myself. That is good for Boris and any solo sailor. The skipper usually has their business to run, they have family, they are getting ready for the race, leaving for three months. So in order to be as ready as possible I think it is great to have that side person who is preparing for the race for them.”
Harris wants to do the Vendée Globe in the near future, “for me building up and preparing for the 2028 race there is no better way. And it is not just these weeks here. It is all the time before having worked so much on the performance of the boat. I have been so involved with all of that and so as soon as Boris is in the race we will see what we have done right and wrong. So all that will benefit me for the future and benefit the team.”
And for Harris and the Malizia – Seaexplorer team these three weeks here in Les Sables d’Olonne have been put to good use but the boat arrived absolutely ready to race. “For us the race started on 18th October. After we arrived here on the 17th October we have a firm rule that nothing, nothing is touched. The boat arrived ready to race. We don’t test sail, we don’t want Boris to go sailing with anything that is untested. We tied the boat to the dock on the 17th and then we do boat tours and so on. For us we have documented everything on the boat and put in place procedures for how everything can be repaired, how to use the spares. There are lists of where things are on the boat, so if he does have a problem we can direct him to a photo folder that everything is all set. And also weather and roadbooks, anything like that, is updated. Some bits we do a long way out like potential pit stops, small islands, but then there are the race things like the ice exclusion zones, the other zones.”
Taking the best care of ‘The Talent’
By way of slight contrast Villion maybe equally ready to go but the Vendée Globe is not on his list of future goals.
He explains, “I did all the requirements like the medical training and the specific IMOCA stuff. But I have been with Juju for three years and have done all the sailing sessions except for the solo races obviously, so I know the boat very well. I know all the systems and am a part of the team and so that is why I am the replacement skipper.
I have no absolute desire to do the Vendée Globe in the future. I love this race and it is a great achievement in a sailing career. My profile now is much more about the opportunities I have like sailing as a member of a team or a career. As well as working with Juju for the last three years I am also part of the Gitana team. My plan is still to sail around the world with Gitana this year but hopefully more in 40 days than 70 days and with a crew, more than alone. I can’t say it is my objective to sail the Vendée Globe but I am sure I would enjoy it if I had the chance.
If it happens in the next five days I am ready. I would be happy to take the chance but in the meantime I just take extra good care of Justine!”
