Quotes from the water

We haven’t yet had the harsh conditions we expected, but there have been a lot of manoeuvres. It usually takes a little bit of time to find your pace and adjust to life at sea, but I’m feeling fit and well.

05.05.2016

We speak to Yves Le Blevec, Louis Duc, Erik Nigon, François Gabart and Thomas Coville

Team Actual - Yves Le Blevec

“It’s going pretty well, the sailing conditions are good and I’m pretty happy - though I have a lot of work. We haven’t yet had the harsh conditions we expected, but there have been a lot of manoeuvres. It usually takes a little bit of time to find your pace and adjust to life at sea, but I’m feeling fit and well. The route has been enjoyable and feels more like the Route du Rhum than The Transat and the conditions are good. Right now I’m trying to get through a mall ridge, but it will ease. There is little wind and flat seas - so not so bad!”

Carac - Louis Duc

“As we sail through a small ridge, the fleet is very spread out. It’s interesting to see what other competitors are doing. It’s like we are sailing to the west indies, but we are not. We’re trying to anticipate forecasts that we may never use. All is well onboard, I rest when I can, I’m in good shape.”

Banque Populaire VIII - Armel Le Cléac’h

“It’s going well, there was depression we had to cross. It was find and the wind returned again - it’s been quite nice. The wind didn’t last long, but we seized the opportunity as the area of depression will widen ahead.”

“It goes well. There was a transition system to cross. It was fine and the wind returned again. It’s quite nice. It did not last long but we took the opportunity. Depression will widen ahead.”

Vers un Monde sans Sida - Erik Nigon

“My first words today are for Erwan who is a great professional that has dominated the Multi50 in recent year, and was well prepared to win this race. We think of you and I’m sure you’ll bounce back quickly and be able to win your next race.”

“The last 24 hours have been windy and I can now verify I have good sea legs…”

“We rounded Cape Finisterre the wind in 30 knots with a reef in my sail. I spent my free time in the engine room trying to find a diesel leak that was turning my little boat into an olympic skate ring.”

MACIF - François Gabart (preparing for a series of gybes to stay with the wind)

“Gybing an Ultime is long, tedious and physical. You turn the cranks for 20 minutes and you use up a lot of energy, so it’s important to eat well.”

Sodebo - Thomas Coville

“The next evening will be complicated with many manoeuvres to perform. We are coming down from north to south, which requires a series of gybes. We’ll need to eat well and drink before, as solo manoeuvres on boats this big are very physical and it takes energy!”

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