Wednesday 24th December – 1430 hrs
Gitana Eighty 1,000 miles from Perth
A fortnight has already passed since Loïck Peyron began to head eastwards at
a reduced pace in order to make Australia and bring his Vendée Globe to a
close after it ended prematurely. Whilst the race is continuing in the
Pacific, aboard Gitana Eighty activity has been reduced to the bare minimum
and the telephone contact with shore crew, family and friends are
punctuating the days which are leading on to the new year. It would be wrong
to disguise the fact that the skipper of Gitana Eighty is finding the time
long, however Yann Eliès’ accident, which has sadly animated the race over
recent days, is enabling him to put the situation into perspective. Despite
the weather conditions not being favourable for good speeds for the monohull
equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, with Loïck likely to traverse a
ridge of high pressure, the 60 footer is expected into Fremantle in the next
few days.
Indian encounter
Last Saturday, whilst the sun was setting over the Indian Ocean, Loïck
Peyron was delighted to be able to make out the Swiss sailor Dominique Wavre
in his wake; he too out of the race after suffering keel damage just a few
days after Gitana Eighty’s dismasting. The approaching 60 footer, still with
a complete rig, overtook the monohull in the colours of the LCF Rothschild
Group and the skipper of Temenos made the most of the opportunity to share
some of his food with the sailor from La Baule, via a line thrown into the
sea. Indeed, during his ‘forced’ stopover in the Kerguelen Islands,
Dominique Wavre was able to embark some fresh food (fruit, bread…) as well
as some diesel to complete his journey; a ‘precious’ cargo which Loïck
Peyron was highly enamoured with: “It was really nice to cross tacks with
Dominique; it was rather unusual but very nice! The bread and fruit which he
so kindly gave me are an incredible luxury after the long weeks of
freeze-dried food. I mustn’t forget the 20 litres of diesel either, which
will be of great use in crossing a ridge of high pressure which is barring
the way from 27th December. This zone of light winds is likely to complicate
my arrival in Australia a little. My ETA, which should be around 30th
December, will however be dependant on a possible tow around a hundred miles
from the coast” said the skipper of Gitana Eighty.
This mid-ocean encounter, which took the form of a Christmas present just a
few days before Christmas Eve, proved to be a massive boost to the solo
sailor, who was in great need of it. Indeed, despite the miles already
covered, Gitana Eighty still has a long way to go. In fact, at the point
where she dismasted the monohull was 2,800 miles from Perth. Fifteen days
on, there are just 1,000 miles to go… It’s been a test of patience and
though it’s not affecting the skipper’s morale, the time it’s taking is
certainly trying. However, Yann Eliès’ accident, which involved him breaking
his left femur and having to wait nearly 48 hours to be rescued, is a
reminder that material breakage and its consequences are a far cry from
physical injury.
Given that it is Christmas, Loïck Peyron is preparing to open the presents
left him by his family and friends before the start. The reasons for this
are that despite it only being the afternoon in France, in the Indian Ocean
midnight is fast approaching… However, Christmas Eve wouldn’t be complete
without a real festive meal. As such, the fine fare specially prepared by
the team from the Doindexe du Mont d’Arbois* have spiced up the daily
rations.
*Situated on the summits of Megève, the Doindexe du Mont d’Arbois groups
together some refined hotel and catering establishments, of which the Chalet
du Mont d’Arbois forms part as a gastronomic restaurant and jewel of the
Rothschild’s high culinary tradition. During offshore races, the sailors of
Gitana Team have the privilege of embarking some delicious fare from this
renowned restaurant.
Return to Europe
Whilst Loïck Peyron is grinning and bearing the situation and attempting to
optimise his course towards Australia at a reduced pace, on shore his shore
crew is organising all the details of the monohull’s return to Europe.
Léopold Lucet, who has been coordinating the logistics operations and the
return to Europe since the dismasting was announced, is currently putting
the final touches to this tricky section: “We have an attractive possibility
with a container ship which would set off from Fremantle on 18th January,
bound for Le Havre. This boat could also embark other monohulls which are
due into the port in SW Australia: Ecover, Temenos, Generali… It should take
a month at sea to make Europe. Nothing has been decided yet though as we’re
still in negotiations with other transporters.” Olivier Wroczynski, better
known by the name Zolive and a great specialist in these situations, will
take off for Perth on Thursday 25th December so he can be on zone a few days
prior to Gitana Eighty’s arrival. Secure in the knowledge that his monohull
will be in safe hands, Loïck Peyron will quickly get back to France to be
with his loved ones.
Gitana Team wishes you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
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