Off Cherbourg, Chabaud (Formatives network) took the start of the Drheam Cup, qualifying for the mythical transatlantic race, on Sunday aboard this exceptional 18.28 meter monohull.

It had been nicknamed "Red cigar" by Jean-Luc van den Heede from its conception for the 1992/1993 Vendée Globe because of its narrowness and its red color.

Recognizable by its red hull and its two masts, also red, which make it unique, it enabled Chabaud to become the first woman to complete the race around the world solo (Vendée Globe) in 1996/1997.

"I haven't sailed solo since my last Vendée Globe in 2000/2001. Afterwards, I stopped offshore racing. It's been 20 years since I changed jobs," told AFP before the start. the one who became an MEP (Renew Europe group) 3 years ago.

But then why come back?

To satisfy "probably a real need to be at sea for a long time alone, to find a little intimacy with the sea. And then there is the opportunity of this boat", she explains.

Challenge at 60

With common friend Van den Heede, Chabaud and his companion Jean-Marie Patier met "thanks to this boat", which they had both come to welcome at the finish of a race.

“17 years and a kid later, we are still together!”, underlines the couple.

French sailor Catherine Chabaud aboard "formatives Network" at the start of the Drheam Cup, qualifier for the Route du Rhum, on July 17, 2022 in Cherbourg Lou BENOIST AFP

The "Red Cigar" was about to be destroyed before Patier bought it back as a wreck, with the idea of ​​doing the Route du Rhum, this four-year solo transatlantic race.

What he did in 2018 (4th place in the Mono Rum category).

Chabaud, she plays the wives of sailors, until last year.

"The desire came at once because I miss the sea. And, here we are going to taste! But I know that I have a good boat!", She said, tapping on the hull.

"I spent 4 and a half months on board but it's not the same boat at all. And I'm 26 years older. My challenge is above all physical in this business. It's silly to say but I'm celebrating my 60 years old at the end of the year, and it's also in my personal challenge. I have to move a little", confides the navigator, joyfully showing the bruise she has just done on the bow. right arm during a maneuver.

Revenge and call for the ocean

The monohull has undergone a rejuvenation cure but it remains obsolete to still be in the Imoca class (exclusive boats for the Vendée Globe).

On the other hand, thanks to the Rhum Mono and Rhum Multi categories (boats that do not or no longer fit into classes), the Route du Rhum allows these legendary sailboats to still take part in races.

And that's good because Chabaud has "a little personal revenge to take" with the Route du Rhum.

For her only participation in 1998, she had dismasted 800 miles from the finish.

French navigator Catherine Chabaudau's "Formatives Network" monohull at the start of the Drheam Cup, qualifier for the Route du Rhum, on July 17, 2022 in Cherbourg Lou BENOIST AFP

"There's a little bitter taste to me, I ran it but didn't complete it. And it's terribly frustrating. I've been building cases for years and when finally I managed to run it, it was unfinished," she explains.

Without forgetting that this elected and committed woman intends to highlight her fight for the preservation of the sea and her call for the ocean to be recognized as a common good at the United Nations.

"I find that things are not moving fast enough," she regrets.

© 2022 AFP