Four days after his triumph in the Vendée Globe, sailor Charlie Dalin recounted his return to land in an interview with AFP on Saturday “euphoric”between accumulated fatigue and joy at having made his dream come true.
QUESTION: How do you feel a few days after setting foot on land again?
ANSWER : “I feel good, happy to have won this Vendée Globe. For four years, I only thought about this goal with my entire team. To have achieved it was great, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since. The arrival was perfect. I was there for François (Gabart) in 2013, Armel (Le Cléac’h) four years later, and then it was my turn. What pride to join this very exclusive club of Vendée Globe winners”.
QUESTION: We can still imagine that the fatigue is great after 64 days alone around the world…
ANSWER : “The fatigue has been there from the start. It quickly settled in during the race and it continues to stick to my skin. Last time it took me eight months to recover, so we’ll see how long I take this year. I hope it will be easier with a victory. When I arrived ashore that evening, I woke up in the middle of the night and rushed to open the hotel room window, shouting, “I forgot to tack!” ». Even though my body is on land, my brain is still a little at sea.”
QUESTION: And physically?
ANSWER : “I haven’t managed to weigh myself yet, but what’s certain is that I’ve lost a lot of weight, especially in my thighs and legs. I moved around for two months in an 18 meter boat, without being able to move much. I need to get back to sport quickly to regain power in my legs. I also feel that my body has been through a lot, and I can’t wait to consult my osteopath to take stock of the state of my back.”.
Q: How can you explain your serenity on the course, despite the pressure linked to being a favorite?
R: “I saw it as a chance to be able to go back with Macif for this new adventure after my 2nd place. I was keen to capitalize on the experience of my first Vendée Globe, to correct certain faults on the boat, and I think we succeeded. I knew I had the ability to achieve a good result”
Q: However, Yoann Richomme stuck with you until the end, it must have been difficult to stay focused…
A: Yoann was really there, ready to pounce at the slightest opportunity, at the slightest weakness. This forced me to spend even more time analyzing weather files, adjusting the boat, changing sails even more often. I think this duel was really motivating. It pushed us to give the best of ourselves. »
Q: Did you have any moments of doubt?
R: “It was difficult until the end, especially with the lack of sleep! I slept five hours a day on average for two months… When I arrived along the Breton coast, the last night of the race, I passed over a fishing net that I had not not seen. Stressed, I waited several minutes, watching my meters to make sure the speed wasn’t decreasing. It was two degrees, I was exhausted, I couldn’t see myself diving to cut the net under the boat”.
Q: Do you plan to return one day?
R: “For now, I want to enjoy this victory, but I’m not closing the door. This is not a decision I make alone. A Vendée Globe means a lot of sacrifices. I have a wife, a son, it’s a commitment for them too. And then, the sponsors also have to want to support me. After a well-deserved rest, the season will resume and my main objective from now on is the Route du Rhum. I finished 2nd in the last edition, 2 hours behind the winner. Winning it will be my new obsession”.
Comments collected by François d’Astier