A year ago, Marc Guillemot announced that he would be taking part in his second Vendée Globe aboard the monohull, Safran. How will he feel on 10th November next year, as he sets out from les Sables d’Olonne? We asked him that very question, as he battles it out in the Transat B to B.
Marc, in eleven months from now, you’ll be casting off from les Sables d’Olonne on Safran to set sail on your second Vendée Globe. What are your motivations?
This is such a special race… It’s hard to explain. The Vendée Globe is quite simply magical: when we set off we are after all about to sail around the world. When you are able to do that, as is my case, it’s something you simply cannot miss out on. This is the pinnacle of solo ocean racing.
Is taking part the second time going to be different?
Certainly. The first time we were discovering the race and my competitive side was rather frustrated at not being able to sail at 100%, because of a few small technical problems and then the loss of my keel a thousand miles from the finish. This time, I am convinced that I’m setting out on a boat that is in perfect shape and can offer an even better performance, as we have dealt with her teething problems. It is really encouraging to think that I’ll be able to get the full potential out of the boat, as she has been fine-tuned and optimised.
“An extraordinary mixture of challenges”
Three months alone at sea is a rather unusual experience…
It is at the same time both a race and a real personal challenge… and a rare privilege. What we go through in this race is beyond anything we might imagine. There is something really great about the Vendée Globe: the solo sailor must be able to master every parameter himself. Not only those required for racing, but also everything to do with daily life on board: sleeping, eating, your state of mind… The person, who wins is the one, who has been able to deal with all of these parameters. It’s really interesting to try to achieve that goal, when there are so many factors that come into play…
In short, you are really up against yourself?
The Vendée Globe is an extraordinary mixture of challenges, sporting, mental and physical challenges… and with an adventure element, which must not be forgotten either. In fact, setting off for a second time is perhaps even more exciting than the first time. This race, which has so much to offer, is unique.
In 2009, you said that you had found in it everything you had hoped for…
In short, I entered in order to race, but in the end, I experienced an adventure with a lot of unexpected incidents along the way. Both sides are interesting, but if this time, it meant more of a real race… I’d be quite pleased too.
