Parenthesis and breathing veil on Cyclism’Actu ! This may perhaps surprise you, but this Sunday, November 10, will be the departure of the Vendée Globe in Sables-d’Olonne and Cyclism’Actu had the chance to meet the French Yannick Bestavendefending champion and winner of the Vendée Globe 2020-2021 who will be on the starting line for his 3rd and final Vendée Globeaboard his monohull Master CoQ V. Forty skippers including Yannick Bestaven are going to attack this “Everest of the Seas“. But before that, Cyclism’Actu met Yannick Bestaven to talk about sailing of course but also Cycling and not only that! We know the strength of one Tadej Pogacar in the bike, of a Rafael Nadal in tennis, how strong is a Yannick Bestaven ? “Like them certainlytold us Yannick. A lot in the mind, because we talk a lot about physical fitness, but the head does a lot of things. And often, I say in sailing it is better to have a mind of steel, more than a body. Even if the two go together, it starts with the mind.” In short, weaving the different parallels between cycling and sailing seen by the title holder and winner of the Vendée Globe… here is the video magazine that we offer you.
Video – Yannick Bestaven outgoing winner of the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe
“Like cycling, sailing is a team sport”
We're at the start of the Vendée Globe, we're talking about sailing, is this the meeting we've been waiting for for how long?
It's an appointment that we've been waiting for at least three years, since since the arrival of the previous Vendée Globe, we have rebuilt a new boat, we are preparing for this deadline by having participated in many other races… So, it’s three years of preparation.
If we talk about cycling, we are all alone on our bike. If we talk tennis, we are all alone with our racket on the court. But despite everything, you have to win as a team, because there is always a team behind you. You go alone on your monohull, is there a team behind?
That's it. Cycling is a team sport, at a strategic level… In tennis, I know a little less, but I think that to prepare a tennis player, there are a lot of people around. The same for me, we have a team of fifteen people, who work every day on preparing the boat, who help me prepare physically and mentally. As I said at the finish of the previous Vendée Globe, I won thanks to my team, despite the fact that it was a solo race.
For those who don't know you yet, you are the outgoing winner of this Vendée Globe, that's not nothing…
I have the winner's cap on my head for the start, but I don't think about it too much. The next Vendée Globe will certainly be different. But I will try to do as well.
What is a Vendée Globe?
For us, it is the most difficult race alone, under sail, in ocean racing. It's a solo world tour, passing through the three capes, we start from Les Sables d'Olonne, we go to Cape Town in South Africa, then to Cape Lewin in Australia, after Cape Horn in South America, and we go back towards Les Sables d’Olonne. So, it's three months at sea alone, in competition.
“Lots of comparisons between sailing and cycling”
What happens in three months at sea?
Lots of unforeseen events, only unforeseen events. Every day is different from the last and even though we have prepared and trained, we know how to do it… we have to face things that we would not have even imagined.
We try to compare sailing to cycling or tennis. How difficult would sailing be compared to these sports? Can we compare or not at all?
Certainly. There are a lot of comparisons, especially if we talk about data recording on bicycles, on athletes. We do a lot of recordings on our boats to improve their performance. There is a lot of tactics and strategy, as there can be in cycling. And then, with tennis, it is an endurance sport, when we see the length of certain matches, particularly at Roland-Garros, the athletes must be really well prepared physically and be able to last over time. And for us, it's the same, it's an effort, a stress that we have to endure for 80 days.
We know the strength of a Tadej Pogacar or a Rafael Nadal… what is the strength of a Yannick Bestaven?
Like them certainly, a lot in the mind, because we talk a lot about physical fitness, but the head does a lot of things. And often I say “in sailing it is better to have a mind of steel, more than a body“. Even if the two go together, it starts with the mind.
You are leaving on November 10, what are you most afraid of?
From the world, from the crowd, from the pressure that the journalists will put on us (laughs). As I say, I can't wait for November 11th. It will be the day after departure, we will be launched and the adventure can begin.
“It’s good to go alone for long periods too…”
Is there no fear of being alone for three months, far from everything?
No, we're already used to it. And sometimes, it's good to go alone for long periods too. It allows you to get to know yourself. We often come back enriched by this kind of experience.
Tell us about this boat Maître Coq
It's a very beautiful boat. A new boat, not the latest generation, but still new. With large foils, which can reach speeds of 35 knots. This is a proven and reliable boat.
What can we wish for you?
To do as well as last time.
* HOW TO FOLLOW THE START OF THE VENDÉE GLOBE?
Sunday November 10, the 40 Vendée Globe skippers will take the start of the 10th edition. From 8 a.m., the boats will leave the pontoon one by one, every three minutes. The first to cast off will be Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance), one of the favorites of the event. The sailors will descend the channel, the opportunity to communicate one last time with the public after three weeks of excitement and intense discussions about the village. A moment that promises to be full of emotion. The Vendée Globe will kick off at sea at 1:02 p.m.
Follow the departure from home:
Two direct departures will be produced by the organization, the first from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the pontoon departure, then from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. for the departure at sea. Thanks to advanced technical means, real-time data and new graphic design, these live shows promise to be captivating for the public.
Several options are available to spectators to follow the start from home:
– Television : Many channels around the world will broadcast the live departure from the pontoon and at sea. The list will be revealed on November 6.
– Digital : The event will be broadcast live on the Vendée Globe YouTube channel, the race website, and the official Facebook page.
Follow the departure to Les Sables d’Olonne
In the village: The Vendée Globe village will open its doors from 7 a.m. to welcome visitors. Access is reserved for holders of an e-ticket, available like the other opening days on the official race website. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of departure and to see the skippers set sail from the quay, the pontoon being closed to the public (November 9 and 10). Giant screens will broadcast the live departures to the village and the stands will remain open until 8 p.m. to extend the experience.
The channel: Spectators will be able to gather along the channel, with sound systems for the occasion to accompany the passage of the 40 boats. As the public is expected in large numbers, the organization calls for kindness to guarantee everyone an optimal experience. On the Chaume side, a giant screen will be installed at the foot of the Arundel Tower.
The embankment: It is also possible to see the start from the large beach of Sables d'Olonne, but binoculars are nevertheless recommended to better appreciate the spectacle. We will find a giant screen on the sea base, close to the channel, oriented towards the main beach.
