The Official
|
|
www.sailing.org |
"During my two participations alongside Isabelle AUTISSIER, I was just a 'simple crew member'. Personally, setting out on the New York - San Francisco again as a skipper of a 33 metre long catamaran and commanding a crew of nine men for several weeks was a real challenge."
Cape Horn proved rather inhospitable to you, how did the crew deal with the five day wait there?
"Being stuck off Cape Horn was an eventuality that we had envisaged before we set out. Of course we didn't think we'd have to hang around there for five days, but we saw it as a kind of fate and the important thing about this type of journey is to complete it. In any case, it wasn't possible to envisage ending up to windward of the Patagonian coast with a wind of 60 knots and over; that would have been suicidal."
A word about the boat? And about your nine crew?
"Gitana 13 isn't a modern boat; it has several circumnavigations under its belt and has passed through the hands of a number of skippers: Loïck then Bruno PEYRON, Ellen MACARTHUR. The numerous improvements brought about by the Gitana Team since Baron Benjamin de Rothschild purchased it in 2006 have enabled an enhanced performance and viability. Gitana 13 really hasn't disappointed.
"Everybody aboard Gitana 13 during this record was chosen for their maritime competence as well as their human qualities. For ten people to live together in a restricted area for several weeks is a real challenge in itself. The atmosphere aboard remained the same from start to end and everyone fulfilled their role perfectly with tremendous conviviality and the very greatest respect for each other. And this was true even in the most difficult times... No-one complained and all of them are proud to be aboard Gitana 13."
What is the single overriding memory you would take with you from this record?
"It is obvious on this type of course that the passage of Cape Horn remains the high point of this crossing. Arriving in the area surrounding the 'rock' towards the close of day with its sombre, imposing aspect, didn't leave us feeling indifferent, particularly for those of us for whom this was the first rounding. It's a really emotional moment every time! Thank you to Baron Benjamin de Rothschild for trusting in us and giving us the opportunity to attack this record."
What is next on your programme and that of Gitana 13?
"Our next objective is the record from San Francisco - Yokohama [held by Geronimo with a time of 14 days, 22 hours and 40 minutes], with an intended departure in three to four weeks' time. In the meantime, the boat will remain on standby in San Francisco and we'll sit it out there until we can benefit from optimal conditions for this course. It will also be an opportunity for a well earned rest for my crew after over six weeks at sea. The whole crew will return to France for a few weeks, with the exception of one person who will remain here to keep an eye on Gitana 13."
The Record To Beat
Record: New York - San Francisco (via Cape Horn, Gold Race)
Yacht: Aquitaine Innovations
Skipper: Yves PARLIER (FRA)
Dates: January-March 1998
Elapsed time: : 57 days, 3 hours, 21 minutes and 45 seconds
Distance: 13,208 nm
Average Speed: 9.63 knots
Gitana Team - www.gitana-team.com
World Sailing Speed Record Council - www.sailspeedrecords.com