Vendée Globe

It may sound strange, but solo racing is essentially team work. In order to ensure they are fully ready for the start of the Vendée Globe on 9th November, each competitor relies on a team of assistants - technicians working efficiently in the background, whose job often goes beyond the simple technical sphere.

In the weeks leading up to the start of the Vendée Globe, you can see them scuttling around on the pontoons, in the cockpits or at the top of the mast. They are decked out in the colours of their skipper´s sponsor and sometimes are indeed mistaken for them. This can lead to some very strange scenes, where in spite of initially pointing out the mistake, they end up signing autographs. Some find this daunting, whereas for others it gives them a taste of what lies ahead, if they hope to set sail in the Vendée Globe in the future. Working as a "preparateur" is an excellent way to get to know every little detail about these fabulous machines, and also to sail on board them regularly during delivery trips, training sessions or crewed races. The winner of the last Vendée Globe, Vincent Riou (PRB) was four years earlier one of the preparateurs for Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia), the winner in 2001. Today, the two men are going to be up against each other on the start line. This year, Jonny Malbon (Artemis) will be setting sail on a brand new 60-foot boat. Before, he used to work alongside Ellen MacArthur and Mike Golding, the latter being a rival this time around. As for Yannick Bestaven (Aquarelle.com), he previously assisted Yves Parlier. Today, it is a former competitor, who is giving him a helping hand. Karen Leibovici, 13th in the last Vendée Globe, is working alongside Yannick to ensure he is ready on the big day, in spite of only finding a sponsor at the last moment.

Each skipper has his or her own way of working, and the relationship with the shore team can vary considerably. There are as many different methods as skippers. If, however, we were to generalise, we can say that today any serious contender hoping for a place on the podium in the Vendée Globe is surrounded on average by five preparateurs each with their own distinct roles. The first is the project leader, who takes care of the logistics, the organisation of the team, the schedules, the relations with suppliers. The second is the boat captain. He is in overall charge of the boat, ensuring everything is as requested by the skipper. The other three preparateurs are usually specialised. There is in general, one in charge of the hydraulics, another looks after the electronics and computer systems, while the third, an expert in composites, manages all the carbon parts on board. However, as in any team, each person must be able to lend a hand to the others. With a few rare exceptions, the level of preparation is such today that they only have some final minor details to go through. Maybe an adjustment to a batten, a winch that needs greasing, the supplies to be stowed away, according to when they will be used… Having said that, some additional hands are always welcome on the final days.
As for the day of the start, their roles are carefully allotted. Some remain on board for part of the morning to hoist the sails and help the skipper make his way out through the crowds at the start. Others pilot the auxiliary RIBs, which will take on board the final members of the shore team at the last moment. Everyone has his or her own job to do, and that is indeed true throughout the race. In some teams, a mobile phone will be passed around throughout the round the world voyage. This relay ensures that the skipper will always find someone on the other end of the line, when he calls. The contact is often carried out on a daily basis… So for them too, the race is a real adventure! LLB

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