This is one of the big surprises of this Vendée Globe. For his first participation in the legendary solo race around the world, Damien Seguin is playing in the big pool. Born without a left hand ...

[Vendée Globe] Damien Seguin: "My difference can be part of something very normal"

French skipper Damien Seguin, aboard his Imoca monohull, Apicil Group, in Lorient on September 25, 2020 AFP / Archives

Text by: Thomas-Sean de Saint Leger Follow

5 mins

This is one of the big surprises of this Vendée Globe.

For his first participation in the legendary solo race around the world, Damien Seguin is playing in the big pool.

Born without a left hand, double gold medalist at the Paralympic Games, the Frenchman can still dream of a podium a few days before the finish.

This does not prevent him from taking his time to respond to RFI, in the middle of the Atlantic.

Publicity

RFI: Damien Seguin, a few days before the finish, you are still in a position to arrive at Les Sables d'Olonne among the first.

Does this surprise you

Damien Seguin:

If I had been told, before the start, that I would be in the game for a podium a few days before the finish, I would not have believed it.

This is my first Vendée Globe, I lack experience in a race like this, and I have a fairly old boat, which is not equipped with the latest technology.

For example, unlike most of my competitors, I don't have foils (

appendages that allow monohulls to “fly” and therefore go faster, Editor's note

It's a surprise, but when I remake the film of the race, I find that I sailed well, I made the right tactical and strategic choices, I didn't steal this place!

Many of you can still play for the win or the podium.

Between the boats in the leading peloton, the gaps are very slim, the suspense still total.

It feels a bit like a regatta, right

It's pretty incredible, this uncertainty over a group of almost 10 boats, it's the first time that this has happened in a Vendée Globe.

It's good, because it makes things more exciting: all the teams, at sea and on land are “on the hook”.

As a real racer, I appreciate this moment, it allows me to be hyper motivated and to put in extra effort.

Your journey is unique: born without a left hand, you won two gold medals at the Paralympic Games (2004 and 2016).

You have been sailing for a long time, you have been known in this environment: today would you say that you are a skipper like any other?

I have to be a different skipper.

When you only have one hand, it shows and questions a lot.

By participating in offshore races, my goal is to show that I can evolve at the same level as other sailors.

In a Vendée Globe, there are no categories.

Men, women, young, old, disabled or able-bodied, we are in the same boat and this is also what makes the beauty of this race.

My difference can be part of something very normal.

Besides, my course is quite linear: I started offshore racing in 2006. I wanted to sail on larger boats, to cross the Atlantic.

I dreamed of the Route du Rhum, finally I took part in it three times.

Then, I wanted to evolve in my sport, to see further, more difficult, and for us sailors, Everest is the Vendée Globe.

You can now see the summit of this Everest.

What are you eager to find once back on earth?

Certainly not to put on a mask and to respect barrier gestures!

It's a bit of a blow, we hoped to come back 3 months after our departure in a less tense climate, it's failed.

Otherwise, I would be content with a real good shower: here, the comfort is spartan, we wash with sea water. There is a moment, we wanted a shower with clear water, eat a real meal sitting at a table, fruit and vegetables, because I haven't had any on board for a long time, and then seeing people again, talking.

Three months of solitude is a long time.

Some sailors have testified to their little downsides, to their severe post-Vendée Globe fatigue.

Is there an apprehension of the return?

The return is necessarily complicated because I will have experienced something quite unique during these three months.

It's an extraordinary solitary adventure around the planet, with some very complicated moments, others very cool.

It is difficult to share with the earthlings.

There is a real shock when we return to earth: we see people again, we become Terran again after having been a sailor for a long time.

We will have to relearn how to relive normally, and that cannot be done overnight.

[Vendée Globe] Damien Seguin: "My difference can be part of something very normal"

[Vendée Globe] Damien Seguin: "My difference can be part of something very normal"

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