the difficult victory of Yannick Bestaven

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Yannick Bestaven is the Vendée Globe title holder. The skipper of Maître CoQ V devoted a long time to Ouest-France and Anticyclone. After recounting his 2021 victory in a first episode, the Rochelais returns, in this second, to this success which changed his life. But sometimes we also have to justify it because he didn't cross the line first. He returns to this notoriety, which must also be understood.

Meeting has been set for a Tuesday at 4 p.m., in the media room, at 2^e floor of the Press PC in the Vendée Globe village. “This way I have a view of my boat”smiles Yannick Bestaven. The title holder takes a seat on the sofa, orders a coffee and, for 50 minutes, recounts the memories of his epic journey from his previous world tour. Episode 2 of a new Anticyclone.

You won the Vendée Globe by crossing the line in 3^e position but you recovered time compensation after diverting to the South Atlantic to search for Kevin Escoffier

. Are we still talking to you about it?No and fortunately because it's a big bullshit, it has to be said. I know that some media added fuel to the fire when I arrived on this subject. I remind you that the rule has been written like that for a long time and that we must not forget that I went back, so I turned around. I stayed in the area for more than 10 hours while the others continued their race. Once Kevin was saved, we had to get back on the road and racing and the time I lost not being at 100% of my potential was not counted. I was taking a weather option for example. Charlie (^{Dalin, arrived first on the line and therefore 2} ein the end

), as the good sailor and intelligent man that he is, knows well how to recognize that the shortest time to go around the world, it was indeed me who took it. There is nothing to say about that.

Is this scenario sometimes difficult to cope with?

Yes, a little. Because I understand that for Charlie, it was hard to cross the line first and not have won the Vendée Globe. But it's also for me: I won it, but I wasn't the first on the line… Ultimately, the main thing is to win. History will remember that. And she remains beautiful. The richness of this Vendée Globe is that we are here because there were five of us able to win – Charlie, Louis (Burton), Thomas (Ruyant), Boris (Herrmann) – and it was so close that it is compensated time which came to play spoilsport in the ranking. I am proud to have won this Vendée Globe. And that way.

Does it annoy you that you sometimes almost have to justify this victory?