What lucky charms do Norman skippers cling to to succeed in their solo race?

Louis Duc, Manuel Cousin and Charlie Dalin are the three Normandy skippers who will start the Vendée Globe on Sunday November 10, 2024. All hope to finish the race thanks to their sailing skills… and potentially the help of a few carriers. happiness, taken on board.

Three months alone at sea, 45,000 kilometers to cover with their sailboat, without a stopover on land and without assistance: participating in the Vendée Globe is an adventure.

Even if the courageous skippers involved are among the best sailors in the world, some focus on a little more than their skills as sailors to complete the emblematic offshore race or, better, put their name on the list of winners.

“All sailors are superstitious“, laughs Manuel Cousin who, like the two other Norman skippers, Charlie Dalin and Louis Duc, will start the 10^e edition of the Vendée Globe on November 10 in Sables-d’Olonne.

Already competing in the 2020 Vendée Globe, Manuel Cousin has sailed all the seas around the world. Always with Madeleine. His daughter’s first cuddly toy never leaves the Norman navigator during sailing races.

“This little striped octopus is my lucky charm. She has traveled as many nautical miles as me“, says, with a smile, the 55-year-old skipper, who will welcome another animal aboard the sailboat “Coupe de Pouce”.

“I will also have with me a little ermine. It’s the mascot of the International Biathlon Union (UBI). This plush toy was entrusted to me by the boat’s godmother, Sylvie Becaert, world champion and double biathlon medalist.“.

Two symbols which may seem anecdotal, but not for Rouennais Manuel Cousin.

When we go through complicated times at sea, we hold on to what we can. And in particular to these intimate little lucky charms, which remind us of loved ones.

Manuel Cousin

Skipper of the Vendée Globe 2024

A common point shared by the finisher of the Vendée Globe 2020 (23^e place) with his compatriot Charlie Dalin, big favorite for victory in this 10^e edition.

“I would have with me a woolen chicken that my wife gave me 10 years ago. It’s a small charm weighing a few grams. It won’t make the boat too heavy.“, jokes the experienced Norman sailor, who will sail aboard his Imoca Macif Santé Prévoyance.

Strongly in demand by the general public and the media in the competition village since October 19, Charlie Dalin immersed himself for a few days in the intoxicating atmosphere of the pre-race.

“The crowd I met at the Vendée Globe village was extraordinary. Some told me “this time it’s the right one”. This sharing is great“, confides the one who remembers the disillusionment of 2020, when he crossed the finish line first, without taking the final victory (it went to Yannick Bestaven due to compensation from which he benefited for having rescued Kevin Escoffier).

Determined and used to playing the leading roles in offshore races, Charlie Dalin knows the recipe for success. So this year again, he is engaging in the same ritual as in 2020.

“The week before the start of the Vendée Globe, I isolate myself from the excitement of Sables-d’Olonne by returning home. And I work on the weather with someone who supports me until the last moment“, confides Le Havre, who aims to become the 9^e navigator to be able to write “winner of the Vendée Globe” on his CV.

When he returns to the Vendée port, the week of departure, Charlie Dalin will load the last personal belongings he will need. Particularly food rations. “I changed my habits this year. In 2020, I had a terrible industrial cassoulet for Christmas. There, I’m going to have fun this time. I’ll cook myself a lobster tail“, laughs the Norman skipper, who will take some photos of his loved ones in his living space on board the sailboat.

“It’s always nice during the race when my gaze lands on images of my wife and my child“, confides the Norman, impatient to go to sea after having “demystified the ordeal four years ago“.

Louis Duc, for his part, discovered the frenzy of the event for the first time, as skipper in the running. “It’s a lot like the Route du Rhum, but multiplied by 100. I enjoy the moments in the village, on the pontoon, while trying to keep a cool head“, comments the solid fellow from Cherbourg who “don’t want to ask too many questions” as the event approaches.

Pour “stay focused“, the Norman, who fought hard to be at the start of the Vendée Globe with a completely renovated 60-footer, attaches little importance to any element external to the race.

“I’m not a fetishist. I try to limit all the photos, messages, cuddly toys. It pisses me off“, says Louis Duc, who despite everything slipped a golden Louis under the mast of his ship to bring him luck during long crossings.

The one who defines himself as “a big dreamer“, does not want to be confronted with objects that would remind him of loved ones.”It would make me think of something other than racing. Whereas I really need to be in racing mode from the start and vigilant about safety. Because I don’t want to disappoint all the people who worked on this boat and who told me that they were proud to see me at the start of this legendary race. And then, with technology, I can contact the people I love whenever I want, for a little word“.

Concentration and rigor will therefore be the skipper’s key words to accomplish the only dream that he agrees to keep in mind for the next three months: “I absolutely want to finish the race. It’s a childhood dream. And then, finishing under 80 days with this drift boat would be extraordinary. But it won’t be easy“.

With his navigational skills and a bit of luck, there is hope.