Jean Le Cam, approaches Cape Horn and is in 16th place in the general classification. Morale, health of the man and his boat, we were able to ask him a few questions on the evening of December 31.
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It's 5.7 degrees Celsius outside and the sea is 5°. As experienced as he is, after 50 days of racing (at the time of the interview) the cold and fatigue do not spare Jean Le Cam. But nothing that could destabilize the sailor.
We caught some news from the skipper of the boat Tout commence en Finistère-Armor Lux, a few hours before the start of the new year, while he was sailing towards Cape Horn
First of all, how do you feel physically after almost 50 days of racing? How is the boat?
Jean Le Cam : I'm in great shape! Sometimes fatigue takes over after maneuvering on deck in the cold. You have to stay clear-sighted, not make any mistakes because it's really cold. I wear several layers: two tights, two pairs of socks, a merino t-shirt, fleece-lined overalls. But other than that, it's okay! And the boat is doing great, it’s in great shape.
Good overall form, but that doesn't stop Jean Le Cam from suffering major bouts of fatigue, as he explains in this video published on December 31. I'm coming out of a sleep coma, like my toothpaste doesn't foam, my toothbrush doesn't shave and the ketchup in the coffee has a hard time waking me up.”
King John does not lose his way and does not forget to wish everyone a happy new year 2025.
Vendée Globe 2024. “If you don't have fun, it's stupid”, what still makes Jean Le Cam dream?
With the Nemo point [point le plus éloigné de toute terre émergée, NDLR] in the viewfinder, how do you cope with isolation at a time when everyone is taking the time to be with family?
Jean Le Cam: Point Nemo is a landmark that has been talked about for a short time. Before, we didn't know what it was. And it has become an axis of communication which is very meaningful for the general public. For years it was known that there was no one in the Pacific, no inhabited land. This Nemo point, everyone now knows that it is the furthest point from a coast on the planet.
Isolation? I talk to my wife on the phone every day. I know well what life on board is like, alone, time flies, I'm getting organized! And I'll make it up to you after I get back.
ALSO READ : Vendée Globe: Dalin digs into Richomme as the new year passes
What do the Pacific Ocean and Cape Horn mean to you?
J.Le Cam: This year it's been pretty peaceful, apart from one night three days ago. It was horrible, the wind suddenly went from 25 to 45 knots. It was the night when I passed near an obstacle that could have been an iceberg, I had deviated my route a little.
And Cape Horn? Well, this is the place where you turn left to go up to Les Sables d’Olonne!
What are the most difficult moments you have encountered in this Vendée Globe so far?
J.Le Cam: SWithout a doubt, it was the Indian Ocean! There was no respite for almost two weeks. The depressions followed one another. This required constant vigilance, impossible to be calm, you had to be constantly on the lookout to adjust the sails, choose the right course. I had never experienced such a difficult Indian Ocean.
How do you maintain your morale and motivation in such extreme conditions?
J.Le Cam: I'm on my way! I am totally focused on running my boat. And life goes by quickly on board! Between analyzing the weather conditions, choosing routes, monitoring the sails, preparing meals on the stove, making fresh water with the watermaker (a device that transforms sea water into fresh water), tidying up the boat, to warm up. The notion of time is not the same as on land.
We wish good luck to King John, and a safe passage around Cape Horn.
