Ocean rodeo

It’s a short video sent on Monday by 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.” 

“Even making a cup of coffee is difficult”

“When you’re sailing close-hauled in winds approaching 30 knots, with 3.5-metre waves, those are the worst conditions you can face in an IMOCA,” admitted Corentin Horeau (MACSF). “Everything becomes complicated: keeping up with the weather analysis, eating, going to the toilet…” ” “Even making a cup of coffee is difficult,” adds Arnaud Boissières (April Marine – research co-sponsor). “With the waves, it’s so bumpy you feel like you’re in a bumper car. And the boats are also put through their paces.”

Corentin Horeau can attest to this, having been forced to retire after sustaining damage (the chain plate, the J3’s anchor point, was torn from the deck) and is now heading for Lorient. The cause? The force of a wave that caused the damage. “These are extreme machines that we push very hard; it can happen, it’s all part of the game,” he confided this morning. 

“I try to move as little as possible”

The MACSF sailor had, however, prepared himself, anticipated everything and made no mistakes in his manoeuvres. “In this sort of situation, you know you have to hold on, grit your teeth and keep an eye on the boat,” sums up Manu Cousin (Coup de Pouce). On board, everyone makes a point of minimising movement as much as possible. Most now have seats with shock absorbers, like the one Yoann Richomme had in the Vendée Globe. “Sitting in a seat, strapped in with a belt, you’re less likely to be thrown about the cockpit and you also limit the impacts that can hurt your lower back and spine,” explains Manu Cousin.  

“Life on board is so precarious that I try to move as little as possible,” agrees Francesca Clapcich. “Sitting down is where you’re safest.” While they are cautious and conscientious, the sailors also derive undisguised pleasure from these challenges. Francesca sums it up in her own way: “We’re always giving it our all; we’re not going to complain because we’re having fun!”