She’s not the one making the most noise but the discreet Justine Mettraux, on Teamwork–Team SNEF, is on the verge of making a big impact. The native of Geneva, who sailed for the first time on Lake Geneva, has rarely left the Top 10 since the start.
Contacted by franceinfo, she says she experienced difficult days on the way up the Atlantic and after 71 days at sea, the features are a little hollow on her face. But Justine Mettraux is very close to completing the circle, even if she does not yet want to think about arriving in Les Sables-d’Olonne. Four years ago, Clarisse Crémer became the fastest woman in the history of the race in 87 days. The Swiss will do even better, probably less than 75 days.
franceinfo: After more than two months at sea, we feel that fatigue is starting to take its toll on everyone. How are you, a few days from touching down? ?
Justine Mettraux: It is certain that there is a little fatigue, but above all mental fatigue. But at the moment, sailing conditions are easier. It allows a little more rest, you have to take advantage of it. The wear is mainly on the equipment because we have been pulling on the boats for a long time. In the group I’m sailing with, the trip up the Atlantic was tough with a lot of sailing against the wind, facing the sea. There was a lot of hitting in the waves. We have seen among the competitors that there are starting to be a lot of breakages, left and right. It’s especially this wear and tear that I fear. I just hope the boat still holds up to Les Sables-d’Olonne.
What is the dominant feeling at the moment? : in a hurry to get it over with or want to make the most of it ?
It’s a bit mixed. On the one hand, I’m in a hurry to finish it just because I want to go to the end with a boat that held up. The more time we spend at sea, the more tired the equipment becomes. Afterwards, I really enjoyed the race to Cape Horn but on the way up the Atlantic, it was really hard. I was a little less positive. I will try to take advantage of the end of the race.
“It remains a fairly exceptional adventure to be able to do the Vendée Globe and to be able to spend so much time at sea, on boats that are still magnificent. You have to be able to enjoy it despite the difficulties.”
Justine Mettrauxat franceinfo
You have always been very well placed in this group of seven boats and you have had a remarkable race from the start : do you surprise yourself in this race ?
It’s true, but I think I’m in my place compared to the races I’ve been able to do previously. This generation of boats also makes a difference. We don’t all have the same speed potential and that also affects the ranking, even if that’s not everything. The leaders did not have any major problems. So being around 8th or 10th position in this big fleet is my place.
-What has been the most difficult moment since starting?
The most difficult moment for me was this trip up the South Atlantic. I felt like I was having a hard time getting back into it. Conditions were quite complicated, with very active storms along Brazil.
You had already shown good performances in other races : with what you are currently accomplishing, is this your greatest adventure? ?
It is certain that the Vendée Globe remains an exceptional adventure. I’ve been trying to participate in this for a long time. It took me six, seven years to successfully build and then bring the project to fruition. I’ve also done quite a few crew races around the world and it’s something I also really enjoy sharing. But in the Vendée Globe, we are on a fairly unique dimension. It’s a race that stands out.
You will undoubtedly be the fastest sailor around the planet. Does it matter to you ?
For now, I’m on record time. We will see because as long as the line is not crossed, so many things can happen. For the general public, the distance remaining to be covered seems short, but there is still a long way to go, a lot of transitions with potentially strong conditions. We must remain vigilant, monitor the wear and tear of the boat, continue to be vigilant in maneuvers, in monitoring the weather, in monitoring too, to avoid collisions. For now, I’m trying not to think about the finish, but rather focus on the things to do.
