Thankfully not for him the worry of big, big storms just the concerns that come with being so close to home and the finish line coupled to the knowledge that it is not over until the line is crossed.
A new dawn, a new day
Another new day has dawned on the tenth edition of the Vendée Globe. As the 81st night at sea comes to an end and any one of the 20 skippers still at sea who harboured hopes of getting round within the time set by Jules Verne have to readjust their timings today.
For the skipper who is in next, Romain Attanasio (BEST WESTERN-Fortinet), being inside the last 1000 miles brings its own level of stress and anxiety.
COURSE, 30 JANVIER 2025 : Photo envoyée depuis le bateau La Mie Caline lors de la course à la voile du Vendée Globe le 30 janvier 2025. (Photo du skipper Arnaud Boissières) Le bateau démâté utilise un LibertyKite.
I just try to not think about it because I’m afraid things’ll go wrong at the last minute. But at the same time I just can’t stop thinking about it, so it’s not easy! I remember on my first and second races I said the same thing to myself, so unfortunately experience doesn’t diminish the excitement and all the emotions that we all have when thinking about this finish which is really imminent. But I'm trying to stay focused, I just changed the two alternator belts, I'm trying to manage my weather, I'm not sleeping much because I want to be done, I want to be home. For now I'm telling myself that the best way to get there is to not do anything stupid between now and the finish, so I'm going all in!
Romain
Attanasio
FORTINET - BEST WESTERN
RACE, JANUARY 30, 2025 : Photo sent from the boat Fortinet - Best Western during the Vendee Globe sailing race on January 30, 2025. (Photo by skipper Romain Attanasio)
Sadly the sharpest contrast to Attanasio’s situation is that of Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline, 28th), who should soon announce his official retirement after having dismasted yesterday off the coast of Cape Verde.
"I'm going to eat, I'm going to cry, and then I'm going to see the rest of this race differently"
Last night a disconsolate ‘Cali’ who had hoped to complete his fifth consecutive Vendée Globe sent a message " I'm going to reach the Antilles as best I can downwind... Tonight I'm very disappointed, very sorry. Obviously, I've known better days, I haven't been spared lately. I feel bad for my boat tonight, I feel bad for all the work we did with the team, in a fraction of a second... We'll imagine what happens next, I don't know how. The main thing is not to hurt yourself, not to take risks. Thanks for all the messages, sorry for Les Sables d’Olonne, I won’t be back as planned, I won’t be back to celebrate the channel, make way for others, bravo to others… I’m going to eat, I’m going to cry, and then I’m going to see the rest differently.”
We’re sad for Cali. It made me very sad this afternoon by the way, I say that I am near the finish but I still sailed very steadily because this story of dismasting calmed me down…
Romain
Attanasio
FORTINET - BEST WESTERN
And finally the eightsome reel led by Damien Seguin (Groupe APICIL, 15th), a wild dance which will only stop when they get to the finish line. Who will be first is anyone’s guess!
RACE, JANUARY 29, 2025 : Photo sent from the boat Tout Commence en Finistère - Armor Lux during the Vendee Globe sailing race on January 29, 2025. (Photo by skipper Jean Le Cam)
North Atlantic
