Guirec Soudée: "With determination and perseverance, you can achieve great things"

I feel a huge gratitude towards all the people who have turned out. Honestly, I didn’t expect such a welcome. After so many weeks of isolations seeing so many people all at once is really surprising, almost destabilizing. The atmosphere was incredible, almost unreal, and it’s a moment, just like the start, that I will never forget. We had some concerns about the weather, but in the end, everything went perfectly. Everything came together for a magical finish. I am really fulfilled!”

It’s true, I spent long periods alone, sometimes without seeing a boat for a long time. The last one I saw was just after the Falklands, about three weeks ago. This calm took some of the pressure off me and allowed me to enjoy other aspects of the adventure. In the Big South, it was different: our boats were often side by side, and we were really in competition mode. It was great. Then, I had a few small problems that made me fall a little behind at times, but I always managed to come back. I am especially very proud of my team and the incredible work they have done, as well as the reliability of the boat. It is really strong. I have been through some difficult times, and apparently, I won the prize for the biggest storm! (Laughs) I had 72 knots of wind after the Kerguelen, with 11-metre waves. It was rough weather, but I had already experienced these kinds of conditions. What impressed me was the way this boat kept moving forward. Sometimes I wanted to slow it down, but it would race, take off, it was just perfect! There were times when I was a little worried, especially when the boat jumped and fell suddenly. I was always wondering how it was going to end. But in the end, we are here, and this boat is incredible! It was an extraordinary adventure. My only regret? Pépin (Benjamin Ferré, editor's note) was in front too often and refused to wait for me! (Laughs)"

Honestly, I enjoyed it almost all the time. The most complicated moments were probably in the Bay of Biscay, at the finish. I had a cross sea with winds between 30 and 40 knots. It was difficult, especially since at this stage, you know that the boat is tired. It was slamming non-stop, and I just wanted to finish. It really wasn’t comfortable, but apart from that, it was a real thrill. To think that I’d done a round the world in less than three months, that I’d managed to maintain such average speeds, is incredible. I’ve already sailed a lot, spent time on the water, but on boats which sail at much slower speeds. This was different: we making big miles, we were in the race, and it was really great. Even if I don’t have as much experience as some, it worked, and I’m so happy. Yesterday, I even wanted to make a little detour to Brittany. I said to myself: Les Sables d’Olonne is nice, but for me, it’s Brittany! I saw the island of Sein in the distance before setting off again towards the finish line.

It wasn’t really my area of expertise, but I quickly got into it. Even though my main goal was to finish the race and complete this round the world race, I didn’t want to finish last or say that I had done the Vendée Globe just to do it. My idea was to give everything I had, and that’s what I did. My boat, although it’s from an older generation, did very well. It’s true that I still lack experience compared to many sailors, but I was able to react quickly, especially when I had damage. I had to climb the mast seven times and dive under the boat’s keel at Cape Horn. In these types of situations, I don’t ask myself any questions: I act. I like things to move, and that’s something I feel comfortable with.

I had prepared well and I was really comfortable on my boat. I was lucky to have always been very well supported, especially since the start of this IMOCA project. My technical team is of a very high standard, and I also benefited from the expertise of experienced sailors like Sébastien Audigane, Roland Jourdain and Corentin Douguet. Thanks to them, I was able to absorb essential knowledge and advice. Even though I didn’t follow the classic course – no Mini 6.50, Figaro Beneteau or Class40 like most of the other competitors – I was able to make the boat work properly. I’m not unhappy with my performance: finishing 23rd is good, and being the 5th daggerboard boat is a great satisfaction. I even left Violette (Dorange), Louis (Duc), Séb (Marsset) and some foilers behind me. It’s pretty positive.

During my Vendée Globe, I did ask myself that question: what would it have been like if Monique had been there? And frankly, it wouldn’t have been nice for her. Even though the boat is big, it slams  a lot, it heels, it stops abruptly. These are really tough conditions. She wouldn’t have had a good time, so no, it wasn’t an option!”

What I will remember from this Vendée Globe is that anything is possible. With determination and perseverance, you can accomplish great things. I’m really happy to have finished this adventure, but I also think I had the right boat to achieve it, because it forgave certain mistakes. I still have some progress to make, especially gybing (Laughs)

The idea is to be ready to set off this year, around October or November, to change craft and acquire an Ultim to try to beat the record for the round-the-world trip the wrong way as held by Jean-Luc Van Den Heede for over twenty years. What interests me and excites me is learning new things. That's the new project: going on an adventure to take up this challenge. I'm so happy!