“Two years of preparation for an incredible challenge”… On foot, by bike and by oar, a father and his son embark on a world tour starting from Toulouse

We left him last March after a new exploit in the white hell: in 5 days 22 hours and 39 minutes, Thierry Corbarieu, specialist in the most extreme races on the planet, won the “Montane Lapland Artic” in Swedish Lapland. and its 500 km. “With all humility, I now have the four major races in polar environments on my list,” said this resident of Lagrâce-Dieu, winner of the Yukon Artic Ultra (700 km in semi-autonomy) in 2019 and of the two versions. of the Iditarod (560 km and 1,600 km) in 2022 and 2023.

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This time we find him for what is undoubtedly the challenge of a lifetime: to complete a world tour by bike, boat and running with his youngest son Yan. “For the record, it was me who proposed this project to him and I was convinced that he was going to say yes,” confides the young man. The duo must set off this Friday, November 8 (departure at 12:30 p.m.), from the Place du Capitole, in Toulouse. “We have been preparing for this incredible challenge for two years, including all the administrative procedures, starting with the registration of our English sea rowing (7m32 long and 1m74 wide, Editor’s note),” underlines Thierry.

“The youngest in history to cross the Atlantic”

In their travel diary, the father and son will first reach Cadiz by bike, which represents 1,307 km in nine stages. Then, via a ferry trip, the Haut-Garonnais will stop at El Hierro (Canary Islands). “There, two friends of mine will bring us the boat. Inside, the major organ is the watermaker to produce fresh water. Without forgetting all the safety equipment. To feed ourselves, we count on 130 kg of meals freeze-dried”, explains Thierry. The 5,000 km rowing will take them to Guadeloupe.

“Our estimate is to spend between 50 and 70 days in the ocean. In principle, I will be the youngest in history to cross the Atlantic. But honestly, I don't focus too much on that. Above all, I know that it risks being very hard for our loved ones, starting with my mother and my two brothers,” comments Yan, who stopped playing rugby a year ago due to a shoulder injury.

Next, it will be by plane, direction Miami. In Florida, the pair will get back on the bike to reach Seattle, a distance of 5,652 km. After the United States, another flight will take them to Mongolia, more precisely to Ulan Bator. Their goal will be to cycle to Aktau, Kazakhstan, for 6,197 km.

Another plane trip will take them to Baku, Azerbaijan, for a new cycling challenge to Istanbul, 2,233 km. Behind, they will continue to Marseillan (2,984 km). Finally, they will complete the last 250 kilometers on foot to arrive at Place du Capitole. “This world tour should last eight months,” announce the father and son, who went to Barcelona by bike this summer, before testing their boat between Menorca and Arenys de Mar.

“We will certainly discover ourselves in a new light”

During their journey, Thierry and Yan will sleep with locals as much as possible “in order to discover and discuss local cultures”. The exchanges, in fact, before departure, they had in particular with the students of several primary schools. “Seeing these children ask us lots of questions was really interesting. And, obviously, to experience such an adventure with one of my sons is simply unique. It’s also a great responsibility for me because Usually I go alone for my extreme races We will certainly discover each other in a new light. We know that there will be moments of tension between us. However, this world tour should above all allow us to. open our minds to the world and nature around us,” explains the man who has twenty years of experience in extreme racing.

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Pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm it arouses, the duo should be well surrounded on Friday at Place du Capitole. “We receive lots of messages from people who want to be there for our departure. It warms our hearts,” admits Yan. But the Corbarieu also think of others. “We support the association 'KO la Muco' in order to raise funds so that patients with cystic fibrosis can also realize their dreams.”