His nickname "Everest of the Seas" squatters newscasters and newspaper columns, to the point of annoying sea dogs who have little taste for "cream pie" emphases.
However, the Vendée Globe deserves the comparison with the ascent of the world's highest peak.
Because the risk of never returning sticks as much to oilskins on inhospitable seas as it does to ice axes hooking the tricky walls of the Himalayas.
To read also:
Vendée Globe: behind Charlie Dalin, the latest generation boats are in torment
Since its creation in 1989, danger has been the salt of the race and the fortunes of the sea forge its legend.
If they sometimes ended badly, the rescue operations, often carried out on the borders of the oceans like that of Le Cam near Escoffier, shed light on what is strongest in man.
Between survival instinct, solidarity and self-giving.
Story.
● 1989. The “geek” Peyron films Poupon's rescue
The two Philippe, Jeantot and de Villiers, could not have dreamed of a better “publicity stunt” to bring their still little-known race to the baptismal font.
December 26
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