Ready… Steady… Hello… Les Sables d’Olonne!
After several weeks of final preparations, including relaunching the boat, technical trials, outings dedicated to the media and partners, and training sessions for Clarisse, the time has come to set sail and leave Lorient. This Thursday October 17, with just over three weeks to go before the start, the IMOCA L'Occitane en Provence, arrived in Les Sables d'Olonne, where the Vendée Globe Village will be opening its doors over the weekend.
Like an annual migration, every year the Breton autumn brings its parade of boats, one by one deserting the ports of the Atlantic coast to make their way together to Les Sables d'Olonne, the scene every 4 years of the greatest celebration of solo ocean racing. Although she has already taken part in 2020, in very special conditions marked by the Covid19 pandemic, Clarisse Crémer is nonetheless relishing this very special stage in the preparation for a race. Without letting emotion get the better of her clear-headedness, her objective is clear: to maintain her energy and concentration for 10 November.
Clarisse, how are you feeling with just under a month to go before the start of your second Vendée Globe?
I'm feeling great! These past few weeks have been a bit tiring, as we still had a lot to do in a short space of time, but overall, everything's been pretty positive. I was able to carry out my final test sails at the start of the week and I've finished preparing my gear and supplies, apart from the fresh food and other small details.
How will your three weeks in the Village be organised?
In the end, there won't be much left for me. It'll mainly be a question of doing a bit more weather preparation and going over all the little things you don't want to forget. It's mainly the boat that still needs a bit of preparation. Fortunately, I'll be able to count on my team to help me with the final technical preparations, as well as my sister-in-law Léna for the logistics.
This will be your second Vendée Globe, how do you feel about it compared to the first time?
Quite good, both physically and psychologically! It's true that it's easier when it's your second time. I know a bit more what to expect and I'm less anxious or worried. I also don't feel as though I've got everything to prove, after my first Vendée was sort of ‘served up on a platter’. This time, I'm even enjoying being on the start line more, it's a first feeling of victory and success to be among the 40, which finally takes some of the pressure off.
In the end, it's a bit of a paradox, because I'm setting off more serene, but also knowing that it's going to be difficult, and aware of the mountain that's in front of me! So I think I'm a lot more mentally ready than last time. And physically, I'm perhaps a little less solid than I was four years ago, because I had a project where I didn't have as much time to do my physical preparation, but I've managed to make up for it over the last few months. So it's going well and I'm already looking forward to the start!