Route du rhum: "a wise decision" to postpone the departure according to the sailors

I am delighted with the Race Direction's decision.

We were going into a wall.

It was no longer sports.

You must not play with fire.

With the Banque Populaire team, we had even thought of stopping at Roscoff in the first hours of the race, to let the worst of the storm pass.

From five meters deep, we already know that it's complicated.

With downwind conditions, in the South Seas, we know how to do that.

But there, with headwinds, near the coast, and maritime traffic, the decision to postpone the start is a very good thing.

For a departure on Tuesday or Wednesday, the conditions will also be binding.

We are in November and there are rarely easterly winds at that time.

What bothered us most was the

sea ​​state caused by an old tropical storm with a very strong core.

There will be beautiful images on Monday at the tip of Brittany but we will be very happy to have stayed on land.

“Clearly, as far as I am concerned, I feel a sense of relief following this announcement from the organization.

If the kick-off had been given as initially planned, we considered several possible options with Jean-Yves Bernot and Yann Éliès, from the weather and performance unit.

The first was to pass Cape Fréhel then turn around to return to Saint-Malo and wait there for the passage of the disturbance to preserve the boat and keep our chances of finishing the race.

I congratulate the members of the organization because I know the difficulty of making such a decision, with all that this implies in terms of media and logistics.

They made a complicated choice but this will allow, on the one hand, to preserve the fleet and the

The forecasted strong winds were going to block the entire exit of the English Channel in tight areas near the coast that we couldn't avoid.

I was very worried this morning when I saw the conditions announced which were worse than those of yesterday.

I think the organization made the right choice and I support their decision.

I'm relieved even though my boat is the most seaworthy of the fleet and ready to face these types of conditions.

Now I will really be able to enjoy the party that will follow the christening of my boat today.

It's nature that decides.

This is the conclusion of things.

It's nice to plan departures four years in advance, but at some point if the weather doesn't stick, it doesn't.

You have to accept it.

I think some riders were ready to go but they are smart enough to accept Race Direction's decision.

Even if you feel fit to leave, that doesn't mean you won't be the first to return to port due to damage.

And you have no right to be smart.

At the end of this morning's briefing, all competitors cheered.

I am surprised, I was convinced that the organization could not change its mind, I found it hard to believe.

In a way, this decision is wise, Monday night was going to be particularly committed, these are conditions that I have never encountered and despite my desire to be incisive and to attack, there was a percentage loss to be taken into account.

I obviously respect this decision, even if mine was to go there no matter the conditions.

I didn't want to take cover, even if there was also an element of danger in this option.

The most disturbing thing is that I've been waiting for this start for 10 months to attack my first Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, and finally, I still have 3 days to wait with the

adrenaline at its peak.

The sooner we have a departure date, the better it will be to organize ourselves.

I had planned to rest this afternoon, the program does not change, I will take advantage of the extra time to sleep and see my partners.