Gustin: “I would do Koh-Lanta again but with the strongest”

“Koh-Lanta: the cursed tribe” ended Tuesday on TF1 with a final winner, the Corsican farmer Thibault, preferred to Charlotte by the votes of his comrades. The Belgian was however the winner of the poles event, while Ilyesse was eliminated first.

Early Wednesday afternoon, we reached the Vaudois candidate Gustin by telephone, after a long night of celebrations in Paris with the other adventurers. “We didn’t sleep much but it was a nice party,” he admits. He who was ousted on the 33rd day out of 41 returns for lematin.ch on the outcome of this season and its journey. He also tells us about his divisive personality and reveals that he is preparing a book of cooking recipes. On Saturday, he will try to complete a triathlon in Reunion with Ilyesse, who became a friend thanks to “Koh-Lanta”.

The winner of this season of “Koh-Lanta” is Thibault. Did you bet on him?

It’s true that I would have liked to see Ilyesse win. It was the choice of the heart. And also the profile that most corresponded to an excellent adventurer. But I am very happy that Thibaut won this season. He did incredible things, he’s an excellent fisherman, he fed the whole tribe. He fully deserves his victory.

Charlotte won the poles event then chose Thibault as a finalist rather than Ilyesse? Was this the right tactic?

Frankly, I think it was the wrong tactic. I had to choose Ilyesse. But hey… she said she picks the candidate who falls off the posts second. She stuck to her decision. It’s respectable.

What did you think of this latest show?

It was very nice, we had never all been live on TV. There were magnificent images, it was pretty to look at. In the end, they all deserved, they all had an excellent adventure.

A pang in the heart at not being in their place?

Yeah, I would have liked…

How do you view your journey in “Koh-Lanta”?

I am very, very happy with my journey and I am also very happy to not have any regrets. I was able to do everything I wanted to do. I left the adventure with great memories and still having accomplished new things.

Indeed, because of you, there is a rule that will change next season. Tell us about it.

It’s true, Denis (editor’s note: Brogniart, the presenter) announced it. It was on the obstacle course. Usually, candidates move from one rope to another on their knees. I was late and I told myself that the only way to surpass them was to do things differently. I stood on the ropes. It was quite dangerous and they decided to ban it from now on. So I will be the one and only “Koh Lanta” candidate to have done that! And did we talk about salt?

To have produced salt by letting sea water evaporate? You were also the first to do it in “Koh-Lanta”…

Yes and I look forward to seeing if the candidates will succeed in making salt in the coming years. I think they will try. But the manufacturing secret returned to Switzerland with me. (Laughs).

Besides, you will remain as the cook of this edition.

I am very happy. At the beginning, on the island of reds, I had so little strength. And I couldn’t do what I wanted to do. After reunification, thanks to Thibault who went to catch lots of fish, I took great pleasure in developing recipes that were a little different from what we usually see on “Koh Lanta”.

That would be a great idea for a cookbook, right?

I’m thinking about it, actually. It will probably be released soon.

You suffered a lot from hunger during this adventure. Was that the most complicated thing to deal with?

Yes, really. I suffered a lot. I was an extremely prepared candidate. With the army, with my adventures, with sport, all that. But the hunger… I could no longer move, no longer think, no longer do anything. No matter how prepared you are, when you don’t eat, everything falls apart.

You are considered one of the very divisive personalities of this edition of Koh-Lanta. What do you think?

We like it or we don’t like it. It’s my daily life. I’m quite cash, very natural, and often it bothers me. But there are still a large number of people who appreciate it. In any case, I am very happy to have been able to remain myself.

There is another subject concerning you which is at the heart of the discussions of fans of “Koh Lanta”, it is your relationship with Cassandre, a candidate, also, in the show. Are you in a relationship or not?

She’s my best friend. And… and… there you go.

Your social media posts suggest you’re up to something. What is this?

We are preparing a lot of things. You will have to be attentive on the networks.

Would you like to return to “Koh Lanta”?

Only if there is an edition with all the biggest candidates, the strongest, to measure myself against the best.

What are your immediate plans?

We’re going to Reunion with Ilyesse to do a triathlon. We have to resume training today because we leave tomorrow. The race is Saturday. We start from the sea and end at Piton des Neiges. We’ll see what happens, we’ve never done that.