Pressemitteilung 29. Dezember 2010
Barcelone World Race D-2
Wednesday December 29th
The whirlwind before circumnavigating the globe
- Start of the BarcelonaWorld Race on Friday 31 December at 1302 hours
- End of a very intense period of preparation for FONCIA and her men
- Geared up for a race start in light airs ?
LIVE FROM THE BOAT
Position: Port of Barcelona
41°22’632 N / 2°11’221 E
Wind: light
Sea: calm
Sails: rigged
Speed: 0 knots
A two-handed carousel ride around the seas of the globe is what awaits Michel Desjoyeaux and François Gabart in 48 hours’ time. In Barcelona, the whirlwind is already in play. The shore crew have been busying themselves on the boat for the past month; the sailors have been alternating between sea trials and quality time with the family to celebrate the festive period. On Friday 31 December at 1302 hours, the kick-off of the BarcelonaWorld Race will come as a great relief. 2011 will begin at sea as a continuation of a year full to the brim with architectural projects and sailing in 2010.
For the past month or so, the monohull FONCIA, moored on Catalan shores, has been in the expert hands of a considerate shore crew, who have been lavishing care on her without respite for her first circumnavigation of the globe. For the past few days, Michel and François have been in the equally skilful hands of the friendly osteopath who is on site to free up their joints and relax their muscles. Not surprisingly our two sailors are in urgent need of a spell of relaxation. Amidst the various technical and media obligations, there are a few rare moments for family, a brief visit to the Sagrada Familia or a group outing to the Raluy circus. On Tuesday night, Régine, Michel’s partner, was loading the last few bags into FONCIA’s monastic cabin: 90 days of food for two, which equates to over 250 kilos of meals, the bulk of which are essentially made up of freeze-dried rations as well as 200 packets of biscuits and a few added pleasures such as specials meats and sausage… In short, just a couple more days of work to complete the victualling.
However, in 48 hours’ time, the competition will be the index focus. Off the Catalan coast on Friday afternoon the sailors, free of their indexland chores, will set off across the oceans for three months. “The race start coincides with a simplification of the sailor’s life. Once they’re across the start line, it’ll be too late to question anything. It will simply be a case of going sailing and, ultimately, that’s probably the easiest part for us” admits François Gabart.
No more questions, or prevarication, except those relating to strategy no doubt. The current weather forecasts promise light downwind airs in the Mediterranean and beyond the Straits of Gibraltar. Though conditions are uncertain, the first few hours of the Barcelona World Race will be active. Whilst landlubbers around the world toast the new year, the sailors will be keeping an eye on their sheets, making a wish for 2011: that the race will be a good one and that success will accompany them all the way to the finish line.
Quotes from the boat:
François Gabart, on the pre-start phase: “We’ve been immersed in the action, which has left us very little time for other things. The good thing about that is that we haven’t had the chance to prevaricate about pointless matters. At the same time, it would be nice to have a bit more of a chance to stand back a little more sometimes and appreciate the moment at its real value, as we’re about to set off on a grandiose and remarkable race.”
Michel Desjoyeaux, on the weather for the start: “The forecasts are suggesting very light winds. It could take us a while to get out of the Mediterranean, which isn’t much of a surprise. Further along the track, offshore of the African coast, it’s not very quick either. As we exit the Straits of Gibraltar, there may already be some considerable separation between the boats. As such we’ll be sailing flat out from the start. The first day of racing will be very important. I’m not sure whether we’ll manage to stick to our three hour watch system as planned! It will be a lot more rhythmical.”
Michel Desjoyeaux, on double-handed sailing: “It’ll be my 4th round the world. However, the difference here is that it’ll be double-handed and span three months. François and I don’t know exactly what awaits us. What’s good though is that there we each have a lot to discover about the other. We’ll be bordering on 100% of the boat’s potential and we’ll have greater recovery times than sailing single-handed and a lot more worry. Jean Le Cam said something funny about double-handed sailing last time: “double-handed racing is a bit like marriage; the two of you end up trying to sort out problems you’d never have had on your own!”
François’ resolutions for 2011: “To continue to give everything my all and do as best I can. Not to spread myself too thinly and to reindex focused on what’s important. The race will begin on New Year’s Eve and I hope it will be great on a human, technical and sporting level. I hope it’ll be a fine thing. It is possible to not win and still do great things.”
Michel’s resolutions for 2011: “The first three months will already be pretty intense. They’ll nourish our daily lives 24/7. After that we have a great season ahead of us. One resolution which has nothing to do with all that is to make progress with my kite surfing so I can get into it with one of my sons…”
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