Image: © Christophe Favreau
Since yesterday, the skippers have been facing particularly challenging conditions. Strong winds, rough seas, sailing close-hauled… Exhausting weather for the IMOCAs, as illustrated by Corentin Horeau’s damage, but also for the support teams, who are being put through their paces. Reports from on board.
Elodie Bonafous (Petits Princes – Quéginer Association) that says it all. The young woman has dark circles under her eyes, a focused expression, one hand firmly clenched in the cockpit, and a real knack for putting things into words. “I’ve put on a riding helmet because we’re doing a rodeo! ” The reason? A first passage through a squall, sailing close-hauled and choppy seas. In short, all the ingredients for a gruelling sail for everyone on board.
“The races are brilliant 80% of the time but…”
A little earlier, it was Nico d’Estais who explained the difficulty of holding on in these conditions. The skipper of Café Joyeux had had to get to work just before the radio session to “adjust the sails, rig up inside” and weather the storm against “an active, fairly violent squall”. He then spoke of “not very pleasant” conditions: “we’re facing the sea, there’s a lot of wind, it’s pounding us”. Nico also admitted to having trouble eating and “feeling half-sick”. “Racing is brilliant 80% of the time, but right now, we’re in the other 20%!”
Francesca Clapcich (11th Hour Racing) also felt “a bit ill yesterday”. “I was glad I managed to eat a little and get some sleep,” the Italian-American explained during this morning’s radio update. However, she has no intention of feeling sorry for herself. “The conditions are the same for everyone, and depending on the boat, it can sometimes be harder to cope with.” To hold out, keeping an eye on the monohull is essential. Manu Cousin outlines the procedure to follow in such circumstances: “We reduce the headsail, take in a reef and secure everything inside the boat.”
IT'S FULL-ON OUT HERE!
IN THE WORDS OF THE SAILORS. On this second day of racing, there’s no room for letting up, as conditions are so demanding and physically draining. This is illustrated by the accounts of Francesca Clapcich (11th Hour Racing) and Arnaud Boissières (April Marine – research co-partner) during this morning’s watch.
Fransesca Clapcich (11th Hour Racing): “It’s brilliant to be giving it my all!”
“I had quite an intense start. I spent a few hours on strategy but tried to keep up with the fleet. Sam (Goodchild) and Élodie (Bonafous) are setting a blistering pace at the front of the race and I know I’m not capable of keeping up with them. I’m trying to focus on my own race and see how it goes. It’s not easy at the moment because conditions are very unstable, with strong winds at times and waves. In conditions like these, we try to minimise movement around the boat as much as possible. My aim in coming here was also to test myself in difficult conditions. We’re on a long route heading north and I’m going to wait a bit before deciding on my route, which depends largely on the position of the light wind zones. I’m still making progress and keeping a smile on my face; it’s brilliant to be going flat out and having to give it my all! By the way, I saw that Corentin had given up when I saw him turning back. I quickly sent him a message. It’s really sad for him; he’d been sailing very well since the start.”
I’m trying to focus on my own race and see how it goes. It’s not easy at the moment because conditions are very changeable, with strong winds at times and waves.
Arnaud Boissières (April Marine – research partner)
“It’s pretty rough out there! Thank goodness there’s a bit of sun! I’ve got past the strongest wind, but the sea is still choppy. It’s intense, especially as the wind isn’t steady: sometimes I’ve got 30 knots of wind, sometimes it dies down, and all with big waves. We’ve gone looking for a westerly wind and in a few hours we’ll be rounding Ireland; that’s already a good milestone in the race. As far as the route goes, there are no surprises so far; we’ll be skirting Ireland like those ahead of us, and after that it looks like a long, almost straight stretch. I’m obviously disappointed for Corentin (Horeau) and I know he’s not the sort to give up easily. It’s a lesson in humility for all of us: the boats are taking a beating and we have to be constantly on our guard. But I have no doubt about Corentin’s ability to bounce back. He’ll be back soon!”
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