Lorient (AFP)

Shorts, sailor boots and a preventive mask, the skippers lent themselves obediently Friday in Lorient to the RT-PCR test intended to detect Covid-19 disease before boarding their boat to take off on Saturday afternoon in the Vendée Arctic, preparation race for the legendary Vendée Globe.

The sailors have all been tested in their home port before reaching the sea and a starting line off Sables d'Olonne (Vendée). They will not be able to start if the test is positive. This is why they were asked to present themselves for the test Friday before noon and then to find themselves at sea during the 24 hours preceding departure.

Convened by the medical team in a hangar near the pontoons in Lorient, Clarisse Crémer (Banque Populaire) but also Jérémie Beyou (Charal) or Boris Hermann (Malizia) entered one by one, with one sailor every quarter hour.

Four people in white coats and blue gloves were waiting for them to carry out the virological test, which consists of taking a sample using a swab in each of the two nostrils. A kind of large cotton swab that fits up to 15 cm in the nose.

Many tears flowed from Clarisse Crémer's eyes. A moment not really pleasant but necessary.

"We saw that it was still a serious subject, which should not be taken lightly. And then it is above all us in the idea that if we have a glitch we can stop elsewhere than in our home base and being able to show off, so yes I think it is important to do this seriously, "said the sailor.

The Arctic Vendée, which is played solo, offers 20 skippers a course of ten days, climbing to the edge of the Arctic Circle to descend to the Azores and return to Les Sables d'Olonne.

"We still have to wait for the result of this test and I hope to recover my passport tomorrow (Saturday) to then go free in the fresh air and go to the northern horizon with long days and very short nights up there Go on this new adventure after this long confinement and very happy to come out of this very difficult period for all of us, "hopes Boris Hermann.

Arrived at the port with his dog, Jérémie Beyou (Charal) settled on the chair, made a face then sped quickly on his boat to leave the Base of Lorient, empty of public.

Sam Davies (Heart Initiatives) took advantage of a very sunny day to share a meal with members of his team, all sitting on the ground on the pontoon.

She will then spend a night at sea before starting the race on Saturday at 3.30 p.m.

© 2020 AFP