Sam Goodchild: "What I found the hardest were the technical issues."

I have not really had time to decompress at all. As soon as I crossed the line, the technical team were on board, we didn’t even lower the sails and we headed straight into the channel. I arrived in straight into the crowd, on the pontoon, and here I am at a press conference, whereas three minutes ago, I was still all alone! (Laughs) I’m 100% full of adrenaline! I think I’m really burned out but I don’t realize it yet! (Laughs)

I broke my mainsail about a week ago. I immediately set to work repairing it, I glued the two pieces back together, fixed some plates with screws to secure the areas under tension. The hardest part was the weather conditions. The waves were filling the cockpit with water and, at times, the boat went into big surf with seas going over the deck. I persevered with little sleep and with some advice from land, I succeeded. I am super proud of the repair, because it held up in extreme conditions, such as rounding Cape Finisterre with 50 knots of wind and violent gybes. It was a real big test but it held up fine!

At first, I hesitated to use the repaired sail, but little by little, I regained confidence. Today again, I knew that even if it broke again, I could finish. So, I gave it everything I had, and it held up.

Yes, it happened when I was competing for the Top 5, but in hindsight, I’m satisfied. My goal of doing this Vendée Globe has been achieved. I’ve been dreaming of this race for 20 years, it’s shaped my life. It’s why I live inry much been France, why I have a French family… Everything revolves around the Vendée Globe, it’s the common thread of my journey. So losing a place isn’t so bad compared to what this adventure represents for me.

Of course, there were difficult moments, but ‘cracking up’ is not my style. And I just would not complain. Doing the Vendée Globe is a privilege. Complaining about sailing around the world on these incredible boats is just unimaginable for me. My goal was not only to complete the race, but also to have fun, to enjoy every moment. When it was tough, I remembered all the work I had done to get there, and it gave me energy.

In a way, yes. I was lucky to have excellent preparation, especially with The Ocean Race on Holcim – PRB and on Thomas Coville’s Ultime Sodebo. So a lot of things were not completely unknown to me. On the other hand, I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much. I thought it would be harder, longer, more monotonous. In the end, it went very well, except for the last three days, when I found the time a bit interminable. I think my preparation and my desire to enjoy it contributed a lot to making this experience positive.

My boat is far from simple or comfortable. There are few places where you can really settle down. Until the last week, with the breakage and the weather conditions, I was able to hold on, but now, I'm in a funny state. I think I need an osteopath... and to do a bit of yoga! (Laughs)

What I found the hardest were the technical issues. These boats are so complex that there are always problems, big or small. You have to constantly arbitrate: how far can you push the boat? When should you stop to repair? This constant technical aspect, look after the boat was the real headache. Sometimes, I climbed the mast just to check that everything was okay. That's clearly what I found the most trying in this Vendée Globe.

There are times when things come one after the other and there’s nothing to do but hold on. I knew that if I slackened in the South Atlantic, I would be left behind and the race would be over.

Absolutely! There were about ten of us outsiders capable of shaking up the leaders. I really pushed Jérémie Beyou, so I can say that I’m pleased with myself! (Laughs)