The Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d’Olonne ended Tuesday, July 14, with the victory of Jérémie Beyou (Charal) after 10 days, 5 hours, 14 minutes and 8 seconds of racing. First post-Covid competition, this event constituted, for skippers and their Imoca (60-foot monohulls, or 18.28 meters), a last “gallop” before the Vendée Globe, the solo round the world race, which will take place in November.
Roland Jourdain, 56, two participations in the Vendée Globe and two victories at the Route du Rhum (in the Imoca category), “coach” of the Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi, who is preparing his second Vendée Globe, learns from this Arctic Vendée-Les Sables d ‘Olonne.
How do you judge the performance of the Dalins, Beyou and Ruyant?
We knew that these three “large calibers” were ready for departure. There are no major surprises, with regard to the proven boats, the technical teams, the physical and mental preparation of the skippers. It is the confirmation of the mastery of these teams and their skipper.
Were you struck by the pace of the first? Should we expect the same pace on the Vendée Globe?
Not really hit, because this race took place over a distance more or less equivalent to that of a Route du Rhum. Or a very long sprint which has exhausted them. The format of the Vendée Globe cannot authorize such a rate for seventy days. That said, it is very likely that the tempo printed, at least the first week, may be just as intense.
This highlights the level of excellence of the teams Charal, Apivia, LinkedOut. What is most difficult today is to keep up the speed by experiencing total discomfort on board. On the Vendée Globe, it will be a matter of living with this movement of acceleration and deceleration of the machine, hence an absolutely optimal physical and mental preparation.
Life aboard these foiled Imoca [appendices latéraux permettant de « voler » sur l’eau] comes down to perfect management of every detail. Including knowing for example where the solo sailor will have put his pair of socks in the Great South and when to put it on so as not to be thrown against a partition in the event of a “buffet stop”. These are details that can make you smile but which are of fundamental importance in building performance.
Can the high speeds reached by the latest generation Imoca modify strategies during a Vendée Globe?
Difficult to say, but what is certain is that acceleration, associated with a wide range of angles, can sometimes play shots. But the big question that arises is: how to think calmly at high speed? The faster it goes, the higher the risk of making a silly decision. To this is added fatigue, because the rhythm imposed by speed will dull vigilance. Not to mention the seasickness which could plunge the solitary skipper into a form of indecision, and lead him or her to an erroneous assessment.
What did you think of the so-called “old generation” boats with foils?
I note the amazing races of Isabelle Joschke (MACSF). It marked the start of the race before breaking its boom. It’s no surprise to see Samantha Davies (Heart Initiatives) at this level, no more than Yannick Bestaven (Master-CoQ). As for Boris Herrmann (SeaExplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco) is the confirmation of the excellent work done on his boat.
Finally, Kevin Escoffier (PRB) managed to push the top trio to the limit on a 2009 boat transformed into a foiler, before conceding ground following various technical problems. I think Kevin Escoffier, super technician, will take advantage of a building site to strengthen PRB.
Can we say that the architectural doubts are removed?
For the foils there is no longer any doubt: it is such progress in speed. Regarding the “teams” mentioned above, this race has reassured them about the choices and overall reliability.
However the new breakage of a foil on boardArkéa-Paprec, of Sébastien Simon, who could not defend his chances in November 2019 on the Transat Jacques-Vabre for a similar breakage, must put the skipper in a situation of terrible stress. Is this a foil design problem? Of construction ? Mentally, it’s hard to take.
At Armel Tripon, these are other concerns. On board of L’Occitane, a “round nose” boat, innovative, she had to give up at the start of the race due to the deterioration of the structure of the starboard bow area. It had been repaired urgently three weeks ago after a collision at sea with an object.
I was still struck by the incredible stability of L’Occitane upon departure. Launched last year, L’Occitane could have been among the favorites, knowing the qualities of the skipper and the architect. The challenge for Armel Tripon is immense to make an Imoca reliable in such a short time.
A word about your “student”, Kojiro Shiraishi?
He had a great race considering the few sailings he made and it is reassuring for the start in November. But he was confronted with the whole catalog of problems that one encounters on a new boat. Kojiro Shiraishi has had almost no energy on board for the past few days. He’s worn out. He who never gets angry was at the end of his nerves …
Finally, what synthesis should be drawn on Imoca without foils?
It is always difficult to make a projection for the Vendée Globe in this “match in the match” of straight drift boats, knowing that Jean Le Cam was not on the starting line of this Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d ‘Olonne. That said, note the successful races of Clarisse Crémer (Banque-Populaire) and Maxime Sorel (V and B-Mayenne). The latter did not let go. He was on the right track.
