Thomas Ruyant is preparing to start the Vendée Globe this Sunday. A competition that is not just a solo race. The Dunkirk skipper is today at the head of a team which will field two boats. Within this team, based in Lorient, other Northerners. They remain on earth, but their work is essential. We went to meet them in Les Sables d’Olonne.
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In the shadow of Thomas Ruyant, Madeleine manages events. This year, the young woman will have to welcome 750 people who came to support the Dunkirk skipper. According to her: “Everyone has a very important role to play and the machine does not work if there is a missing link. So there is a lot of work being done behind our skippers who are certainly all alone on their Imoca, but behind there are people.”
Everyone has a very important role to play and the machine does not work if there is a missing link.
Madeleine Dauthuille, teammate of Thomas Ruyant
For 6 years, Madeleine has been sailing in the wake of the northern sailor. She first took care of supplying the boat before moving on to the events part.
“When I arrived there were 6 people within TR Racing today, there are 35. I have seen the evolution of this team with one boat, now two. And seeing that history continues, always carrying causes in its sails, it's a beautiful story.“
A crew who will therefore experience this race by proxy. But which will also allow Thomas Ruyant to stay close to his native North as Madeleine explains to us: “Obviously we will put a bit of North in these boats. For Christmas and New Year, we're going to pack small waffles and small beers from the North so that they're moments of celebration.“
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Vendée Globe: the northerners of Thomas Ruyant's crew
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King of electronics, Henri, works aboard Thomas Ruyant's 2nd boat.
A vital role alongside the team's other skipper, Sam Goodchild. The young man confides to us: “II will take care of all the devices which have electrical wires on the boat then, I will take care of the distribution of this energy to all the devices which are on board and which will go to the computer or to the means communication, therefore satellite antennas. And then the whole navigation system.“
I will have the phone on 24/7 to ensure standby in case of problems.
Henri Marcelet, teammate of Thomas Ruyant
Henri met Thomas Ruyant at the age of 16 near Dunkirk. Opponents on the water, they are now associated to perform as Henri explains: “I will have the phone on 24/7 to ensure standby in case of problems. I know that in the morning, the first thing we'll do when we get up is look at the map to see where they are.“
A hand-picked crew, Thomas Ruyant confirms: “They are there because they are good in their field, not because they are from the North. But it’s nice to also have little guys from the North with me on the team, yeah.”
During this world tour in 80 days without assistance, these sailing enthusiasts will therefore necessarily remain at the dock. But not inactive!
Report by Matthieu Rappez and Sergio Rosenstrauch. Edited by Vincent Dupire
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