Samantha Davies is in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Romain Attanasio, 13th in the Vendée Globe standings, has passed New Zealand and is sailing in the Pacific. Scheduled for the end of the morning on December 24, the meeting on the open sea with this exceptional couple has been postponed, the skipper of Pure-Best Western having finally found a moment to sleep. The exchange will then be disrupted by a maneuver, live, from Romain, in winds at 30 knots.
At sea, do you have the feeling of being at Christmas?
SAMANTHA DAVIES. Yes, we receive requests to make stupid videos in Christmas outfit (laughs) ! But also messages from our loved ones.
ROMAIN ATTANASIO. I took care of the decorations, I was about to eat my Christmas dinner, but it’s a bit chaotic, so we’ll see that tomorrow. At sea, we celebrate Christmas when we can.
This Christmas will also be special for Ruben, your 9-year-old son …
R.A. He’s at home with Sam’s parents, everything is rolling for him. Four years ago, I was already in the Vendée Globe, I had felt the weight of loneliness when Sam sent me the photos of Ruben opening his presents.
S.D. Part of the family is confined to England, no one is together this year. I feel closer to Romain this year, even though we are unfortunately not in the same ocean. It’s the first Christmas we’re not here, but not the first time we’ve been away for a long time for a race, Ruben is managing very well. I ordered presents from him, Romain’s parents sent him some too, I think he will be very spoiled.
Did you two give each other gifts?
R.A. Sam made me Christmas dinner, I put some trinkets in his boat.
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S.D. I have not yet opened my packages, I am English and the English, it’s December 25th! But Romain, I gave you a gift (she addresses him). I gave you a tree to build, the same as for me. I’m sorry, it’s rotten. You need glue. So I won’t wait for you to send me the picture of you next to the tree (laughs).
R.A (addressing Sam) Oh shit, I have some glue, but maybe not for that! But don’t worry, I have my tree from four years ago which is not bad. Except that it does not have too many batteries and that it does not light too strongly.
Samantha, after your collision three weeks ago, you took the option of leaving the race. Didn’t you want to go home to find Ruben?
S.D. I was so scared that for 24 hours, I wanted to stop sailing and take the first plane. But this “Heart Initiative” project goes beyond sport, it is a solidarity project. Keeping up raises funds to save children.
R.A. The first thing I thought was: great, she’s going to spend Christmas at home (laughs). No, frankly, it was much better for her to go back. It is not too much to start again in the Vendée Globe, often the sailors give up. Isabelle Autissier did it in 1996, she also sent a very nice note to Sam where she explains why she had mobilized so many people to continue, even out of the race. This is the Vendée.
Do you both feel like you are living the same adventure?
R.A. Oddly enough, yes.
S.D. Not at all (laughs) ! I am no longer in the race, I have broken ribs, I am in pain, I am all alone, I am at the back, I have no more stake, just this desire to come full circle. These boats are violent, if we accept that, it’s because there is this adrenaline. I take this opportunity to do things that I was not used to on the boat. I watch series, I read a lot, I’m more in adventure mode.
Do you manage to trade regularly?
S.D. Yes, thanks to WhatsApp it’s much easier than it was four years ago. We communicate with the house, with friends, with other skippers.
Indeed, Romain, Clarisse Crémer told us that it was on your advice that she had started to wash and eat again …
R.A. (Samantha Davies bursts out laughing) We were next door, we talked a little, she told me that things were not going very well. I asked her what she was eating. She replied that she was going to swallow some seeds. I told him : ” It’s not going at all, we’re going to start all over again! »I coached her a bit, but suddenly she left, she didn’t thank me!
Romain, are you the one who will wait for Samantha on arrival with Ruben?
R.A. It was not planned like that because my boat is supposed to be slower, the plans have changed but we must not ignite. I am not immune to a hard blow. I did a good half of the way, I am not at the end.
S.D. There is one who will be happy, it’s Ruben. I think he really wanted dad to end up in front of mom. First, last, in or out of the race, what is great is to complete a round the world. The fiesta will be the same.
