February 10, 2001 - 11:30:32 PM]
Michel Desjoyeaux (PRB) winner of the Vendée Globe 2000/1
Michel Desjoyeaux, skipper of the Open 60 ‘PRB’, crossed the
finish line in Les Sables d’Olonne at 2008hrs and 32 seconds
UTC of the 4th edition of the Vendée Globe single-handed,
non-stop, around the world yacht race. He has spent 93 days
3 hrs 57 minutes and 32 seconds at sea.
He has smashed the existing record of 105 days and 20
hours, held by Christophe Auguin, by 12 days, 16 hours, 33
minutes and 51 seconds, and has just become the first man
to achieve a solo, non-stop circumnavigation in less than 100
days.
Out of the 24 skippers who started out from Les Sables
d’Olonne on the 9th November 2000 at 1611hrs (French time),
there now rests 15 skippers still racing.
As far as 3 miles from the line, broad-reaching towards Les
Sables d’Olonne, PRB was lit up by helicopter search lights,
and surrounded by a buzz of small boats following him in.
After crossing the line, the sky was alight with a grand display
of fireworks to celebrate this momentous occasion.
The boat slipped majestically into the port, thousands of
onlookers cheering, whistling and blowing horns, while Michel
stood at the bow with two red flares held aloft, a big smile
from ear to ear.
As soon as PRB docked and the first line was thrown to land,
Michel celebrated by spraying several bottles of champagne
over the amassed crowd of media virtually sinking the
pontoon.
His first impressions heard from the pontoon were: "Ellen, well
what a mystery – I’ve been saying to myself ‘what have I
been doing for ten years?’ Yves was impressive at the start
but now I know why I held slightly back and didn’t push as
hard. I said to myself then, ‘well, that’s one less competitor’
even though it’s not sporting."
[February 10, 2001 - 9:53:53 PM]
Interview with Michel Desjoyeaux facing the crowd in Les
Sables d’Olonne: "Good Evening Sables d’Olonne!"
"A bit anxious? Noo! I really never knew what it would be like.
This has been a great moment for me, I hope for you all too!
This evening, everyone here really knows how to get a party
going! I was following the countdown to my arrival for a few
hours on my computer on board. I was looking for the buoy
and just as if I was in a round the can regatta race I still had
to cross the line so I didn’t have to do it twice. We knew we
could do this in less than 100 days with these boats.
Christophe Auguin, four years ago, was sufficiently ahead at
Cape Horn to slow the pace a bit. For us, the race in the
Atlantic was wild the whole time. And then managing the boat
through the Southern Ocean. I felt the change rounding Cape
Horn, all the manoeuvres became easier to do. The Southern
Ocean was tough but just three days ago it was equally hard
upwind nearer to home as well. Thanks to my sponsor and
Isabelle Autissier, who had the confidence in me to take the
helm of PRB. An amazing team in competence and human
character, 80% of this race was won before the start. I just had
to finish off the other 20%, the boat was well prepared and
the skipper had some fortune on his side too.
I’ve spent 93 days knowing that I shall get off this boat and
explain what I did out there. It’s not hard for me to get off the
boat as I’m used to racing.
Ellen for me is a great mystery. She is ten years younger than
me and she could have beaten me. She came so close to me
in the Saint Helen anticyclone, and she came back on me in
the Doldrums and the Azores high. She has displayed a great
deal of courage and determination and has threatened me
right until the end.
Professionally, it’s a big moment in my career. The last
turning point for me like this was the Mini Transat. If today
80% of the Open 60’s have a swing keel it’s because I won
the second leg of the Mini with this system.
You can’t come back unchanged after three months at sea.
I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I do. I was never
afraid for myself, only for the boat! Fear of breaking the mast!
I’ve become an ‘earthling’ again and will reindex so until the
next time I step on a boat!
I want to thank all the guys who have come here to welcome
me tonight and I hope you will do the same for all the other
skippers right to the last as the last one deserves the most
honour for being at sea the longest!"
[February 10, 2001 - 8:30:40 PM]
Michel Desjoyeaux, skipper of the Open 60 ‘PRB’, crossed the
line at 2008hrs and 32 seconds UTC of the 4th edition of the
Vendée Globe single-handed, non-stop, around the world
yacht race.
This means that he completed the race in 93 days 3 hours 57
mins and 32 seconds. He smashed Christophe Auguin’s record
by 12 days 16 hours and 33 minutes 51 seconds.
[February 10, 2001 - 7:14:33 PM]
Dominique Wavre admires and congratulates Michel
Desjoyeaux on his performance
"From the conception to the preparation of his boat he hasn’t
put a foot wrong, his race was faultless. His project managed
seamlessly from start to finish, and he represents a great
French sailing talent, a brilliant navigator and I man whom I
admire greatly."
"It’s weird to think of someone about to arrive, and it really
resolves my desire to finish. You can see Les Sables d’Olonne
in your mind, imagining the other skippers even on land
again, all really vivid in your head but you’re not there yet
yourself. Psychologically, it’s harder for those behind I think."
Source: Bleue Salée
|
