The memories of leaving start with waking up on Sunday morning at six o'clock. At home, everyone prepared in silence. We got in the truck. The little ones were still half asleep. Afterwards, it was a bit unusual to have to wait your turn to join the pontoons [un ordre de départ pour emprunter le chenal des Sables-d’Olonne avait été établi par l’organisation, NDLR]. Every two seconds, I came back to hug my wife and my children, and to tell them: “I’m not gone, I’m still here!” » In truth, I was already a little gone.
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When my turn came to go down the pontoons, I saw Armel Le Cléac'h [vainqueur du Vendée Globe 2017]who worked for a television channel. I started to cry. He too shed his little tear. I think I only answered half of his interview! It was all in our looks. We didn't have much to say to each other. He knows where I'm going. Armel triggered all this emotion that I had kept. You then pass alone in front of the other boats to reach yours. The technical teams and competitors who are still there greet you. It's a lot of emotion. When I reached my boat, there was all my family, my sponsor, the team, etc.
Find Jérémie Beyou’s Vendée Globe logbook every week on JDD.fr
You have a few minutes to say goodbye. I had to say goodbye to everyone fifteen times, so as not to forget anyone. I lived this moment to the fullest. They know that you're going to go through something difficult and that we won't see each other for three months. Everyone supports you and at the same time, we are all alone! Afterwards, there is the descent of the channel with this crowd. It slaps you in the face. It's a really crazy moment. The people are there for us, they are all in. This is the fifth time that I have experienced this descent of the channel, but each time, apart from the edition with Covid, it is a huge blow! It's just great. Then, you have to quickly refocus. There wasn't much wind at the start.
An intense start to the race
The crossing of the Bay of Biscay required a lot of maneuvering and changes of direction. The wind increased afterwards. But he was unstable. Which requires a lot of energy to manage the boat. There, again, there is not much wind. You have to try to find the slightest hint of air to move forward, you have to make the right trajectory decisions. So, there you have it, an intense start to the race. How did I experience the abandonment of Maxime Sorel? [Premier skipper à avoir renoncé, vendredi 15 novembre, après avoir eu des soucis techniques et s’être blessé à une cheville.]
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It's always sad when someone gives up, especially so early. This shows how difficult this race is: everything must align at the strategic, technical and human levels! We too often forget that in the end he is a man all alone on his boat and that he has limits. I'm very disappointed for Maxime, but we have to manage to ignore that, continue and above all have fun.
