Special correspondent in Les Sables d’Olonne

Violette Dorange (Devenir): “I’ve had a lot of emotions since this morning. Saying goodbye to family and friends and seeing the other competitors in the channel, it’s really emotional because it’s going to be me in a few minutes and I just can’t believe it (she dries her tears). It’s a bit crazy and so many years of work to get here…. I don’t realize it, it’s crazy and magical. I’m going to enjoy these mythical images in the channel before getting back into my bubble at sea, and then it’s off to this great race. I’ll have plenty of time to enjoy everything that’s going on. You have to take in all this energy before being alone at sea. It’s incredible.”

Jean Le Cam (Tout commence en Finistère – Armor Lux): “A Vendée Globe start, my sixth, can’t be routine. I’m expecting an emotional passage through the channel, with lots of people. It’s in stark contrast to the Covid four years ago, of course. Everything’s going well, we’ll have good weather to get underway, but for the moment it’s a bit of a struggle (he smiles). I’m stopping at every stage, everything is organized and rhythmic with the press and the questions before arriving at the pontoon. There are a lot of people around and I’ve seen that she’s not sinking, which is already good news!

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Thomas Ruyant (Vulnerable): “Right now, I’m really looking forward to getting out to sea and finally doing what we came here to do. The channel, I can’t wait to relive that, without apprehension. I have very strong memories of that moment in 2016.”

Jérémie Beyou (Charal): “It’s a bit difficult to leave those you love. As much as I was impatient to leave yesterday, I’d like to stay a few more days or even weeks before I go. But once I’m out of the channel and starting to take an interest in the wind in the area, I’ll be able to concentrate on the race. We’re going to have to get into it quickly and get our bearings fairly quickly.”

Paul Meilhat (Biotherm): “The channel is great, but we’ll have to take the boat out and watch out for possible collisions. I was really moved to see all the teams. I think I’ll have plenty of time to enjoy myself in the channel.

Guirec Soudée (Freelance.com) This is the best day of my life. The best preparation for this Vendée Globe is to have been alone. And I’ve experienced it with my two transatlantic races, where I spent more than 180 days at sea alone with my oars. This time, I’m aiming for less than 180 days, I hope! I’m very serene. You’re looking at a happy man who’s about to return to his element. I’ve got seawater running through my veins, and that’s no nonsense. It’s all happiness… until my first technical problem. I’ve heard of 400,000 people in the channel!”

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Arnaud Boissières (La Mie Câline) I’m going to take a little boat trip, but I don’t know the route. If I did, I wouldn’t be going back for the fifth time. I’m starting from scratch, as if I didn’t know anything. I’m sick to my stomach, I didn’t sleep well. I did a survey and out of the first five sailors who passed in front of me, nobody had a good night. The channel? I don’t know what’s in store for me. It’s a crazy thing. I was told during the first Vendée Globe: live it to the full because it might be the only one. It’s hard to believe that I’m about to set sail for the fifth time. It’s monstrous.”

Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB): “I slept pretty well. I was really dreading the separation from my loved ones, but that was done two days ago with the children. Now I’m going to go sailing. Letting go of the moorings and going down the channel is going to be a big emotional moment, but I’m going to be fairly quick on my feet and stick to the strategy of the first week, so as not to make any mistakes. There’s a bit of a mix of emotions and apprehension, because I’m not setting off to sail around the Ile d’Yeu and come back tonight…”.

Eric Bellion (Stand as One) I’m in a second state. Eight years ago, I set off with my head held high, not knowing where I was going. Now I know. I’m leaving my family behind, there’s a lot of emotion and a bit of anxiety too. My stomach’s a bit tight and I’m having trouble concentrating. The real liberation will come after Cape Finisterre with a strong wind. Monday or Tuesday I’ll feel better.

Samantha Davies (Initiatives Cœur) Last night we partied with 700 people, but they released me early to spend one last quiet night. The heart is beating fast. Finally the big day, I can’t wait to set off and especially to be out in the open sea with great conditions. It’ll be a bit of a relief not to get smashed at sea tonight.”

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Yannick Bestaven (Maître CoQ): “I have the impression that there are more people than four years ago, no (laughs). The weather’s good too. We’re not going to get too wet at the moment. We can’t wait to get going and get to tonight, because it’s always a bit complicated before the race. I didn’t sleep too well, but my mates did too. It’s strange, you think about everything again, not having forgotten anything and wanting to do well. This will be my second passage through the channel with an audience. It’s bound to be impressive. On the way here, I saw a lot of people on the road.

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Charlie Dalin (Macif Santé Prévoyance) “I’m thinking about everything we have to do to make sure everything goes well, the weather and the pleasure of doing a second round-the-world race. It’s a day of celebration. I’m going to make the most of it. Going first? It’s just what I needed. I slept well, but I’m going to take another nap on the boat when we’re out. The channel will be a discovery, because four years ago it was empty. The aim will be to get all the energy and take it with me. It’s been busy on the channel since three in the morning.”