Vendée Globe. “In the center of the South Atlantic, another match will begin”, believes Roland Jourdain

IFour years ago, Roland Jourdain, 60, was a major player in Yannick Bestaven's preparation for victory in the Vendée Globe. The third in the 2000-2001 edition, double winner of the Route du Rhum (2006, 2010), today sails on a catamaran, “We Explore”, named after the Explore endowment fund that he co-founded. around research on the use of biomaterials in boating.

What has impressed you the most since the beginning?

It's nice to see so many boats grouped together, fighting, which is what we like when we're on land. The Bay of Biscay, exceptionally clement, has only caused one abandonment although it often does the sorting. As for skippers, I don't want to single out one more than the others in the dozen in Division 1 of the fleet. They fight like ragpickers, know their boats very well. Still, Sam Goodchild did a brilliant job. He confirmed, in the D1 outsiders, that he is really good.

And Jean Le Cam has found a unique trajectory to be leader…

Jean made Jean. It doesn't surprise me that he tried his option east of the Canaries, it's a route he likes, he's already been there! This might have worked when he managed to catch the trade winds before Cape Verde. Except for a more lenient Doldrums, it was OK, but it was too daring. We know Jean, less his new boat, which is great and will be, with Jean, the fastest drift boat. I can't wait to see what happens next, with some uncertainty. The leaders will be able to pass directly towards Good Hope with a depression that breaks the Saint Helena high in two, but to which boat? There may be a split but which group Jean will be in, I don't know.

If they are influenced by the depression in the central South Atlantic…

Will this great tack towards Good Hope be decisive?

Since Friday, they have been heading towards a large port tack along the Brazilian coast, a speed race. Charlie Dalin handed over the horses. A medium wind seems a good condition for him, but I don't think it will be significant for the future. After having rolled up a first bubble, this half of the Saint Helena anticyclone, they will find themselves in a few days under the influence of the depression which is born along Brazil, halfway towards Good Hope. It will inevitably generate instability, more wind and seas, depending on their situation. And there, the boat-skipper couple will undoubtedly be more important than the pure speed of the boat. The cards will be reshuffled, another match will begin.

Are you also enjoying this exceptionally competitive Vendée?

It's particularly tight in fact, with twelve boats grouped together, and as in each edition a general level and speeds which climb. So the slightest technical glitch, an error or damage like that of Louis Burton (cracks on the bridge) always costs more in the ranking each time.

Let's talk about women in racing, with a memory first. You finished 3rd in the 2000-2001 Vendée behind Michel Desjoyeaux and Ellen MacArthur, 2nd. Did the Englishwoman surprise you?

Ellen didn't surprise us in the Vendée Globe, no, she had already proven a lot in previous races. We didn't take her for a sweet little girl! I adored this little woman, we were friends. I was impressed by his commitment, from every point of view. On the Vendée, she especially annoyed me by finishing in front of me (smile)!

What places can women reach in the race this year?

Today, it's not bad, with Justine leading the girls. They are largely capable of matching the boys, especially in Vendée. The Imocas are physical but that is far from being the main criterion compared to endurance, anticipation, strategy. Ellen was worth a boy for her tone. And then on our boats, having the physique of a 100 kilo rugby player is of no use if we don't anticipate the squall or the maneuver to come. It's more in the head that it happens, holding on, holding on in this absurd situation of telling yourself that it's good when it's over!

The point

Charlie Dalin took Friday morning the head of the fleet and built a slight lead. Thomas Ruyant, previous leader, was slower due to a less good wind angle and a cylinder problem on a headsail, “I lost two to three hours.” The head of the fleet remains grouped with ten boats in 60 miles and engages in a speed race to catch… a train! “We're going to try to catch the little depression that's coming from Brazil and escape with it,” said Jérémie Beyou. It’s really important.” “It’s like the train, you can’t miss it!” added Dalin.