Tuesday 4 november 2008
Marc Guillemot : «It really feels like the start»
In five days, it will be time for the start of the Vendée Globe. In Les Sables d'Olonne, Marc Guillemot and the whole of the Safran Sailing Team can look forward calmly to the big day: while two final trips are planned for today and tomorrow, everything is ready on board the boat. The final days will be spent studying the weather, which does not look very pleasant: rain, rough seas and upwind sailing.
"As far as the weather is concerned, we really got to the heart of the matter a few days ago. In theory, we'll be setting out sailing upwind with some rough seas and it's going to be wet. They are not necessarily the favourite conditions for sailors, but if that's what we get, we'll deal with it!» For Marc Guillemot, this final week will be spent dealing with the weather analysis. «Inside in the warm and dry,» over the past few days, but on board Safran from tomorrow (Wednesday) to get used to the boat, which will be his «home» for the 80 to 90 days of this non-stop solo round the world voyage without assistance. «There won't be any tools left on board, and no one will be there from Wednesday, so that Marco can work on the weather there without being disturbed and he may also use all the onboard systems, if he wishes,» explained the boat captain, Loïc Lingois.
«The smallest of tiny details»
«I don't really worry much. I live each day as it comes. Apart from working on the weather, I'll be trying to relax a little; it feels like the start now and as I have a great team that has worked so well on the boat, I feel serene, so there are no worries in that area,» the skipper of Safran insisted, before adding, «We're dealing with the smallest of tiny details.» This opinion is shared by Loïc Lingois: «We'll be doing one or two little trips on Tuesday and Wednesday, but only to deal with some final checks. Marc's gear is on board, the supplies too, so there is just the fresh produce to stow away at the last moment and a few other little details, like one final touch for the hull, one final hose down of the deck,» concluded Loïc Lingois.
The whole team has come together here in Les Sables d'Olonne, more than anything to be alongside Marc and make his final moments that much easier before the big adventure begins. Feeling no particular apprehensions, he can feel quite at ease, knowing that everything is ready. It is true that «we've been concentrating on this race for a long time now,» smiled Marc Guillemot to explain this to us.
SAFRAN
Jocelyne Terrien
Tél : 01 40 60 80 28
Fax : 01 40 60 80 26
jocelyne.terrien@safran.fr
SAFRAN is an international hi-tech group specialising in four areas: aeronautics and space propulsion, aeronautical equipment, defence and security, and communications. The Group employs 63,000 people in more than 30 countries and has a turnover of 11 billion euros. Including many prestigious companies, SAFRAN ranks, alone or in partnerships, as one of the world and European leaders in the field.
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