monster traffic jam on the quays, Le Cam in sovereign… The atmosphere rises on the pontoons two days before the big departure

A recent survey indicates that only 35% of French people will be interested in the 2024-2025 Vendée Globe (i.e. 13 points less than in 2020-2021). And even if the polls once again showed their limits during the election of Donald Trump (none had announced his large victory), it is difficult to realize any disenchantment when we go to Les Sables d’ Olonne.

This Friday, two days before the big departure scheduled for Sunday, visitors continued to flock to admire the forty racing boats and hope to catch a glimpse of the heroes of the oceans. As soon as we approach Port Olona, ​​the flow of spectators is continuous and impressive under a beautiful sun. Thousands of thousands of people, men, women, young people, children entering the village before waiting in line for more than three and a half hours to get off on the pontoons.

Newbie Guirec Soudée is “looking forward to going on vacation”

Although access is free, it requires a ticket in advance and once arriving on the pontoons, the visitor must still be patient to be able to advance tens of centimeters by tens of centimeters as the crowd is so compact. The traffic jam owes nothing to those who clutter certain streets of Paris. But here, no honking, insults or angry movements like the capital is full of. On the contrary, in Les Sables, the atmosphere is good-natured, the public relaxed, and goodwill reigns.

Another king of places, the mobile phone is constantly brandished to photograph the racing cars of the seas, to capture a detail or an accessory, like the famous Manneken-Pis of Brussels who directs his famous jet at the back of the boat of his compatriot Denis van Weynbergh.

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The highlight of the show, and of the photo competition, is obviously the appearance of the sailors setting off for adventure. “I’m going down on the boat for the last time,” confides to us Clarisse Crémer (L’Occitane) who admits to having “want to leave” after these three weeks of waiting spent in the port of Les Sables. Also seen and author of a generous handshake a few moments later, rookie Guirec Soudée (freelance.com) also admits in a burst of laughter that he “can’t wait to go on vacation”. Chantal and Ludovic, a couple of peaceful retirees who have just got off the train from Paris, look at him with amazed eyes before taking a selfie and joining the crowd of admiring visitors on the platforms.

Jean Le Cam: “It’s adventure”

Among the departing sailors, some go unnoticed and others receive a rock star welcome when they poke their heads out of their boat lair. And at the top of the top 40, by far, reigns a certain Jean Le Cam. Arriving on the deck of his boat Everything starts in Finistère for a live television broadcast, King Jean is warmly acclaimed. THE “Jean we love you” flash, the cameras crackle and the dean of the event, 65 years old in the logbook, greets his admirers in a gesture worthy of the (late) Queen of England.

A few moments earlier, we found him at the back of his monohull, quiet and out of sight, a cigarette in his hand. No more stressed or nervous than that. The Breton, who will set off for his sixth participation on his new boat (without foil), knows the song and the route. “The weather forecast is calm for Sunday, after that you never know what will happen, we’ll see. It’s adventure”he blurted out, obviously happy to cast off and go experience this global journey that he loves so much. And which fascinates earthlings, despite the polls…