Yoann Richomme: "On the Vendée Globe, everything is always possible"

We have always had a boat in the family. My grandfather had one and in turn my father was very proud to buy one. When I was a teenager, we went to live in the United States for more than three years. We sailed with my dad and together we crossed the Atlantic. I learned to sail with him. He has always supported me and we still talk a lot about sailing generally.

Above all, it proved to me that I was capable. I wanted to do more, to compete in a few races. But at the time, I saw myself working more in IT. And then gradually I wanted to study naval architecture. I studied in Southampton and that's where I wanted to sail even more and I did.

I have a hard time understanding when it happened. I like sports, especially team sports. When I was a student, I loved competing in the Tour de France à la Voile even if I didn't see myself going any further. But I really sailed a lot, I took on many races, did lots of sailing and I gradually felt that I could aim a little higher. I had never had crazy sporting results but I was competitive, I liked giving my all in each race.

It was a great opportunity with a real commitment all round. What I liked was being able to be involved straight away and bring in my ideas, create a project in which I had a real role to play. I wasn't just a driver, I had my say in the organization, on the architectural choices... It was an incredible opportunity!

No, it didn't destabilize me. In fact it helped to stabilize me. Having the unwavering support of my family is a total blessing. And it also allows you to not be "one-track", to not think only about racin and the programme, to remember that there are many other things that matter.

I'm aiming for the 'top 5' and I hope to be fighting at the front. But I know I'm not the only one with this ambition! Paprec Arkéa is a great boat, excellent downwind and in strong winds. I'm preparing for this race like an expedition and I love it!

It's a completely mad event in terms of its scale and adventure dimension. The Vendée Globe is a bit other worldly, a bit outside of everything. It is the only extreme sporting adventure that can be followed by everyday fans. In essence it seems impossible and unattainable but what's more the public can and do follow everything on a daily basis. As a player in the race, you are projecting yourself through long-term challenge which requires you to be especially meticulous about your preparation.

You need a high level of self reliance and resilience, a very good level of sailing, a constant drive, good man-machine management, DIY skills, good meteo analysis and an extremely well-prepared boat. With the current level at the top of the fleet there is almost no room for error.

For sure I might not be here in this race if I hadn't done my own show. It helped me in particular in terms of profile and I suppose showed off my skills. But above all, I was able to work on the weather throughout the course, especially in the Southern Ocean. The last edition was also a demonstration that in the Vendée Globe, it's never over. You can always come back, victory can be decided in the last hours. You have to know how to stay strong, resist damage and continue to be positive. In this race, anything is always possible!