Start of the Vendée Globe 2020 -

20 Minutes

  • This Sunday morning, all the skippers shared their feelings a few hours before the big start of the ninth edition of the Vendée Globe.

  • They said goodbye to their loved ones before leaving the channel, which was deserted.

Enthusiastic, relaxed, concentrated, “stretched like a thong” (according to Alan Roura), “excited and nervous” (for Boris Herrman)… The 33 skippers were in very different states this Sunday morning at dawn, a few minutes from a last goodbye to (very) close friends and to climb for several weeks on their monohull.

Nicolas Troussel, accompanied by his three children and his wife, admits a certain stress before the start of his first Vendée Globe and admits that he “didn't sleep well”.

"It is not trivial to go alone for so long," recalls the 46-year-old skipper, ultimately not disturbed by the absence of spectators given the health situation.

“I think it's easier to deal with emotionally without an audience.

"

Jérémie Beyou, who is setting off for his fourth Vendée, does not find “it funny” this void around the channel.

“There aren't many people that you can hug and the public gives you some pep on the start, and there, he's not there!

Charlie Dalin, who is one of the three or four favorites, is already focused on the race.

His perception is cold, pragmatic.

“What is important is that we can leave.

I am not here to be acclaimed by the crowd, but for the Vendée Globe.

Understand, to win it.

Moreover, the 36-year-old sailor, second in the Vendée Arctic at the beginning of July, already imagines the arrival.

“We hope it won't take place behind closed doors, that would be sad!

"

"It's going to be weird without an audience" regrets Sam Davies # VendeeGlobe2020 @Zonemixte pic.twitter.com/YmteEf9ZFJ

- David Phelippeau (@dphelippeau) November 8, 2020

Clarisse Cremer, 30, who takes over from the last winner Armel Le Cléac'h in the Banque Populaire team, seems impervious to the pressure inherent in her personal situation.

“I am so happy to be leaving.

I'm a little hot, a little cold.

The start today is a reflection of what we have been through for several weeks.

Thomas Rouillard, also among the favorites of the event, regrets the absence of "magic" without the tens of thousands of spectators in the channel.

Herrman "sad" to leave ... his bitch

All are nevertheless well aware of being "privileged", to use the term of Kevin Escoffier.

"France is now confined and we are here, we are going to sea for at least three months," says Maxime Sorel, who is participating in his first Vendée.

“We are here to make people dream, even more so in the current context.

I can see how lucky I am to be here today.

"And the Malouin to make a confidence:" I got up this morning saying to myself: "I'm going to go around the world".

I don't think that many people can say that to themselves one morning when they get up!

It's just a crazy thing.

Afterwards, I would lie to you if I told you that I was not afraid.

"

Big emotion for @MaximeSorel just before his departure # VendeeGlobe2020 @Zonemixte pic.twitter.com/9d8ax4UDiE

- David Phelippeau (@dphelippeau) November 8, 2020

Yannick Bestaven says he is “not stressed at all”.

"It's relaxed", he lets go, the smile slung over his shoulder.

"There is no wind, the weather is fine ..." And a fog to be cut with a knife which will be the cause of several postponements of the start ... "We are going from dream to reality today, continues Charlie Dalin.

I'm ready, the boat is ready, there is more to ... "A few minutes before, the German Boris Herrman confesses his sadness to leave" his dog "who accompanied him throughout the confinement.

“This period with her was a first step before real solitude.

"

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