The "Jackal" is back on the water. After all that happened earlier this year, with the partnership with Brit Air coming to an end and then the contract being signed with Banque Populaire, Armel Le Cléac’h has just been out sailing for the first time on board his new 60-foot boat, Michel Desjoyeaux’s former Foncia, which was relaunched in Lorient on 28th June. In a hurry to get out there again, Armel, cautious, yet full of ambition, will be lining up for his second Vendée Globe with a clear objective: he wants to do better than in 2008, which quite simply means winning. We met up with him.
“It was time for me to get out sailing again, as it was getting tough having to stay ashore.” Armel Le Cléac’h has not been hiding the fact that he was missing life at sea. So he was very pleased to carry out these sea trials to check over the latest work done to Banque Populaire. He was particularly happy to feel so positive after this first trip: “The boat has a huge potential, although she is somewhat different from Brit Air – in particular as far as the deck layout and fittings are concerned – but I already feel relaxed with her.” However, always the cautious one, Armel does not wish to get ahead of himself and wants to ease himself in gradually. So he is not making any hasty conclusions about the performance of his latest boat. “I shall be sailing across the Atlantic twice at the end of the year, once double-handed in the Transat Jacques Vabre (with Christopher Pratt, editor’s note) and one solo crossing to deliver the boat back to Lorient. If everything works out, we will then be able to carry out a complete appraisal to see where we are in our preparation for the Vendée Globe.”
The Vendée Globe as the ultimate goal
The Vendée Globe is something that Armel regularly talks about. And for good reason, as this is his main priority. So he will be doing his utmost to ensure he is fully prepared for the big day. “Everything is falling into place to allow me to shine in 2012. I have a good boat, a committed sponsor and a great team. On top of that the timing is just right, as I can get in a lot of sailing and take part in all the races in the IMOCA calendar. That means I will be able to test out things and check the boat is in the best of shape in all sorts of conditions.” This is a huge advantage when you se just how much work is involved in preparing for an event like the Vendée Globe. “I wouldn’t have thought of taking part if I hadn’t had a sponsor at an early stage,” admitted Armel. To get the most out of Banque Populaire, the skipper has a busy schedule ahead of him. In August, he will be taking part in the Artemis Challenge then the Fastnet Race, which he will compete in with Christopher Pratt at his side. Then on 30th October, both men will be lining up for the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre. Next year, Armel will be taking part in the crewed race around Europe, hoping for another success to add to a long list, while looking ahead to 10th November 2012…
“Doing even better”
When questioned about his goals in the non-stop solo round the world race, Armel does not hesitate for a second: “To do better than in my first attempt.” He finished second last time around… So he has some clear ambitions, but is well aware the competition is going to be tough. “For the moment, all of those taking part are in with a chance of winning and it is difficult choosing a favourite, even if Jean-Pierre Dick, who won the last major event on the calendar seems to be that little bit ahead of the game. But between now and the race, anything can change and we will be able to see how things are going much more clearly in a year from now.”
Whatever happens, Armel Le Cléac’h is bound to be up there among the favourites. Is this an additional pressure on him? “It encourages me to push even harder,” he replies, before adding: “Obviously people are going to be talking about me before the start, but I’ve already had to deal with being the big favourite in the Figaro circuit and things went really well there.” While he is certainly not going to surprise anyone, he does intend to take advantage of what he learnt in the 2008 race to shine once again in the Everest of the seas. “I now have had the experience of sailing around the world and I know where the difficulties are in this course. So I will not be setting off into the unknown. That’s a real advantage and I intend to make the most of that to do even better in 2012.” Armel Le Cléac’h is therefore aiming very high indeed. And quite rightly so, as this strong competitor known for his relentless determination, clearly has got what it takes to achieve his ambitions.
