Damien Seguin crossed the finish line of the 11th edition of the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe today at 8 hours 55 minutes 02 seconds after 14 days, 18 hours, 55 minutes, 2 seconds of racing. The skipper of the 60 'APICIL Group traveled 4,291 miles at an average speed of 12.09 knots and took the 6th place in the IMOCA category.
This is an extraordinary performance for this born skipper without a left hand and a triple Paralympic medalist. After competing twice in 40 '(2010 and 2014), Damien Seguin completed his first transatlantic solo on a 60' (18.28m) monohull. It also ranks second right-handed boat after that of the winner Paul Meilhat (SMA).
Like a large part of the fleet, Damien Seguin had the first difficult and painful first days of sailing while sailing in extremely difficult weather conditions. The skipper confesses that he has never encountered such conditions. But he held firm and managed his race perfectly, not hesitating several times to lift his foot to protect his boat.
++ See also: Route du Rhum. Lalou Roucayrol jumped into the water to be transshipped
And if he did not manage to hang the first train of IMOCA, it is in contact with Alan Roura and Stéphane Le Diraison that the latter fought in the trade winds. A three-way match that prompted Damien to give himself up against two more experienced skippers than him in IMOCA. "I do not know if it's an incredible race, I did my race. I left with the intention of doing well and I have the feeling to have been successful by passing the various obstacles as and when. He said on arrival.
++ See also: Route du Rhum. The routing of Christian Dumard, the success of Francis Joyon
The skipper, then in the lead of this small group of pursuers, redoubled his efforts to keep 6th place and keep Alan and Stéphane in his transom. He brings his monohull of 2008 to the 6th place of a Route du Rhum which will remain in many ways as one of the most important editions. Damien, starts a very beautiful way his adventure in IMOCA. It will have marked the spirits and forced the admiration of his peers like Paul Meilhat, winner, came to greet him in the heart of the night Guadeloupe, just after the crossing of the finish line.