The day I crossed the finish line at the Vendée Globe is still in my mind's eye. A gray January morning, drizzle, stiff breeze and rather choppy seas. A few hours earlier I had collided with a Spanish fishing boat with my “Seaexplorer” yacht in the dark and almost had to give up for the last nautical miles. That was a real shocking moment that reminded me that I shouldn't take it for granted to sail non-stop around the world in 80 days. I am very grateful that I was able to experience this trip.
On arrival everything merged into one another, and there was never a single moment of happiness. I started preparing myself and the boat two hours beforehand. For example, I had to set the correct flag for the finish line. For the last nautical miles I've been accompanied by a whole armada of boats, a helicopter has also flown over us, and I've seen more and more land. I was really excited again.
After crossing the finish line, my team came on board, we clinked glasses and were able to celebrate something.
It felt like we had to wait an eternity until the tide was high enough for us to enter the harbor.
When I was on solid ground and finally able to hug my wife and daughter, I really let myself be carried away by the emotions.
I fondly remember this mixture of excitement, adrenaline and pure joy.
Actually, I've been busy with our new goals since arriving in Les Sables d'Olonne: I want to be part of the Route du Rhum in 2022, and from January 2023 we want to sail around the world with the Malizia team as part of the Ocean Race .
Recorded by Sebastian Reuter.