LATEST NEWS

Words from the wise, second and third : tough, difficult, extreme, wearing

Giovanni Soldini (Telecom Italia) :  « A fortnight of storms » 
 « No, it was not just sufferance. It was a fine race even if it turned out to be really tough. This transatlantic was really trying because so much was sailed on the wind. That takes its toll. I was fine at sea, but the fortnight of storms was hard going.  The boat slammed about a lot in the waves and the swell kicked up by the Atlantic low pressure systems. Unfortunately, our forestay fixation snapped when we had to put some south into our heading and it just wasn’t possible. We had fun though, fighting against Bernard and Bruno who were never far away! It’s an interesting course. We didn’t have the trade winds we were expecting to have. I like the solidarity thing too, the approach ; it’s an intelligent idea. What a great welcome for us on arriving here in Mexico. »

Bruno Jourdren (Cheminées Poujoulat) :  « The most difficult race, my last race… » 
« An unexpected welcome. Theere is something magical about it. Does you good after such a long and tough race. Six or seven lows one after the other – extreme conditions in the Atlantic which fair take their toll. And the pressure of being so close to Telecom Italia for some 2 000 miles. That’s a lot! Almost 4 000 kilometres. We could never let up. Mentally we hung on but it’s really wearing physically. It’s the toughest transat I have ever raced. Thank goodness I was with Bernard. We got along really well and enjoyed ourselves. I am pleased to have taken part in the Solidaire du Chocolat, but this is my last short-handed race. Tanguy and Adrien sailed extremely well, sailed the best race. They managed to gain enough of a lead to stay out front. The successors are on the way… »

Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) : « As beautiful as it was tough ! » 
« What a welcome ! This is impressive. I didn’t know Mexico at all. Here we are in the full throes of a Maya ceremony. I had no idea what would be in store for us on arriving! It was a tough and beautiful race. We hardly ever had the possibility of sailing a direct course and two weeks on the wind with six depressions was awful. Heeling and never letting up. Getting changed, eating, moving about, going to the loo, always at an angle… A fortnight in foul weather gear is not much fun. When we finally got round to being able to take it off, it felt like taking off a layer of skin! Then we got into the idea of running downwind, only to run into heavy squalls as if we were in the Doldrums. That was topped off with the race-within-a-race against Telecom Italia which lasted for 2 000 miles right up to the finishing line. At one point this morning, we even came to within 400 metres of their stern, but they then managed to pull a couple of miles ahead. The first time we came within sight of one another in the Atlantic, it was nice. Over time it was a source of extra stress. Match-racing is generally something that happens round the cans and lasts for just one day. This was a different kettle of fish! This has got to be done again. In any case, it couldn’t be any worse! »

 Pietro D’Ali (Telecom Italia) : « The trade winds : deliverance »
« What a long and tough race this was. We were cold even if this was not the Southern Ocean. The fortnight upwind was horrible. We were soaked permanently and never got truly dry, just wrung out from time to, time. Deliverance came with the arrival of the trade winds and the return to warmer climes. At last we were able to get some pasta cooked instead of surviving on biscuits. The finish here in Progreso was quite different to anywhere else before. An extremely warm welcome with its own special identity! »