Vendée Globe 2024. Maxime Sorel hopes to take Mayenne to the top

He doesn't say it and will surely never say it, because he knows too well the harshness of the oceans, the ordeal of racing alone. But Maxime Sorel (VandB – Monbana – Mayenne) secretly aims to win the 2024 Vendée Globe. A dream which is not impossible since, with its second generation foiling imoca, it is one of the outsiders. If it does not have the performance of the very latest boats from Charlie Dalin (Macif) or Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable), it can surprise with other weapons. “I have changed mentally and physically since my last Vendée Globe. I'm not going to fight with the same weapons, I have a second generation foiling boat so we have something to show for it. Afterwards, you shouldn't do anything.”

That nonsense is seamanship. Don't break, don't force, don't want to go too far by pushing the boat to its limits. But in the Vendée Globe, Maxime Sorel also knows that damage can happen. Whether this evening on his imoca or those of others. “Everything is new”, he said, comparing his last departure. From boat to man.

READ ALSO. A start in peace

The adopted Mayennais left Sables-d'Olonne in “waiting for lots of things”. He had been waiting for this departure for four years. “Even before the end of my last Vendée Globe, I said that I wanted to start again, notes the Cancalais skipper. Quite simply because the last night I didn't have time to do some sort of introspection, some sort of look back at my entire race because of the conditions. I'm also looking forward to experiencing southern seas that are different from the last Vendée Globe, because it was rather rough.”

His last wait rhymes with his ambitions and is undoubtedly the most important in his eyes : “all knowing.” A speed that would allow him to dream of sailing up the Brazilian coast next year, a speed that would allow him to arrive at this last night of introspection while being in the fight for the prestigious trophy.