Sunday 5th November 2006
Stève Ravussin is back in "his" race
Having lost 1700 miles and almost two and a half days on his way to Pointe à Pitre, because of a container that should not have been there, any lone yachtsman taking part in the greatest transatlantic race would be plunged into the depths of sadness. However, Stève Ravussin is made of sterner stuff. On top of his supreme professionalism, he also boasts the pragmatism associated with seafarers. The ocean is calling and Orange project, although injured, (with one metre fifty missing from her daggerboard) reindexs a fabulous machine, when she glides along in the trade winds.
Far behind the race leaders, Ravussin is back in his race 50 miles or so from where he temporarily gave up the race last Thursday. A magnificent show of solidarity between the port authorities in Horta and the support teams for Sopra, Sodebo and Atao has enabled him to set sail again in very acceptable conditions. For them, his partners and his friends, Stève is determined to do his utmost to reach Pointe à Pitre to the best of his ability, using a smooth, clear trajectory, covering the distance as quickly as possible, while keeping the risk factor to a minimum.
Something else hits the rudder
«A strange night,» sighed Stève Ravussin this morning, relieved to be able to be back on the playing field in this eighth Route du Rhum. Truly a strange night, as the Swiss sailor announced that as well as a large number of rain squalls, he had hit another object. «This time it was something soft, probably an animal, as there doesn’t seem to be any damage.» We know that this is a factor that needs to be considered as unforeseeable in ocean racing, as the sea is no longer an empty space, where men can find total freedom. «The risk of hitting a container or any other object is part of the race. It’s something we have to accept,» summed up Stève.
Sailing cleanly
On this Sunday morning, Stève is sailing to the west of Florès looking for a windy front. His VMG towards Pointe à Pitre is for the moment negative, as the Orange trimaran is sailing at 90° from the great circle route in a wind that is currently blowing from the north north east. The more favourable wind forecast for midday should enable him to turn his bows towards the Antilles and step up the pace. «Our boats are made for speed, and it’s still very enjoyable to be at sea on these machines.» There is however a slight problem with this analysis. Ravussin is a competitor, who takes part to win. «I’m not here on a cruise. I am going to get the most out of the boat. Of course, I’ll keep her a notch below what I would have done, if I were still in the fight. I shan’t be taking any unnecessary risks, but I’ll be trying to reach Pointe à Pitre with a good time.» The time for regrets is over. Ravussin has moved on to a new chapter, leaving behind the
complaints about that wretched container, which could have meant that today he would be chasing after Thomas Coville, having chosen a good westerly option around the Azores, and be fighting for a place of honour in Guadeloupe. «There are still a lot of competitors behind me.. ,» he joked. Whatever happens, Stève always seems to be in a good mood….
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