A few hundred meters from the Vendée Globe village, the T One One, Titouan Lamazou's legendary Imoca, the first boat to win the Vendée Globe, regularly welcomes sailing enthusiasts who treat themselves to a great pleasure: three hours of sailing at edge.
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“This one will never be dethroned.” This is how the skipper welcomes his passengers for the day on the T One One., a legendary boat to have won the first edition of the Vendée Globe. It was in 1989. At the time, it was called “Ecureuil d'Aquitaine II” and Titouan Lamazou was in charge. This afternoon, a few days before the start of the Vendée Globe 2024, sailing enthusiasts treated themselves to a great gift: a 5-star sailing course on this legendary boat.
The captain of the day is Aurélien Esnault. Patient, pedagogical, he takes care to involve his teammates of the day. “Have you already closed an Imoca Alain? No? So now is the time!” And here is Alain, a boat enthusiast, who puts himself at the helm of the T One One. “The sensations are good, but there would be a little more wind, that wouldn't be any worse. It's much more difficult to stay on course when there's no wind.”
Although he enjoys steering a legendary boat like the T One-One, Alain would have liked a little more wind for this sea trip.
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© France Télévisions/ A. Lepage
Benoît has sparkling eyes. Hoisting the sails, doing a jibe (changing the sails sideways), tacking, he follows the skipper's instructions and does not shy away from his pleasure: “These are boats that we're not used to having in our hands, so it's very nice to be able to take advantage of them and to be able to do maneuvers with people who know how to accompany us.”
duration of video: 00h01mn12s
The T One One, Titouan Lamazou's legendary Imoca, the first boat to win the Vendée Globe, regularly welcomes sailing enthusiasts who treat themselves to a great pleasure: three hours of sailing on board.
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©France Télévisions
After two hours of navigation, the boat arrives in front of the symbolic finish line of the Vendée Globe. Aurélien Esnault takes out his foghorn for the occasion. “We arrived before departure, that’s what’s even better!” Benoît jokes. “The objective, explains Aurélien, it's about sharing the joy of gliding on a legendary boat. At one time it was the best boat in the world. Even though he's old now, we feel incredible sensations.”
In 1989, Titouan Lamazou completed his round-the-world sailing trip in 109 days, 8 hours and 48 minutes. Today, the record to beat dates from 2016, it is the one established by Armel Le Cléac'h: 74 days, 3 hours, 35 minutes and 46 seconds.
The sailing conditions are calm enough to enjoy this special moment aboard the T One One
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© France Télévisions/ A. Lepage
“There, we don't have too much wind so it's okay, smiles Dominique, but we can imagine when it should hit… so hold on for at least 70 days like that, well done. Throughout the Vendée Globe, I will think about this boat trip.” Guillaume will also think about it: “It's quite difficult to imagine this legendary boat in the South Seas. It's a dream, even if clearly, it's not within the reach of just anyone. Hats off to all those who will go to sea tomorrow to the Vendée Globe.
Until the day of departure, the boat offers sea trips for 249 euros per adult, 149 euros per child.
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