The skipper of SVR Lazartigue crossed the finish line of the Route du rhum in second position, three and a half hours after the winner but in a heavy atmosphere after the announcement of the death of two people in a follower boat on Wednesday.
Special envoy to Pointe à Pitre
Three hours and thirty minutes after Charles Caudrelier on Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, François Gabart in turn crossed the finish line of the Route du Rhum. A time that allows the skipper of SVR Lazartigue to also beat Françis Joyon’s previous record dating from 2018 (7 days 14 h 21’45”).
But the time was not too festive in Pointe-à-Pitre after the confirmation, by the organization of the race, of the death of two people following the capsizing of a follower boat. A judicial investigation has been opened for involuntary homicides, also indicated the prosecution. As a result of this tragedy, the management of the event announced that the festivities planned for the reception of the sailors would be cancelled.
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François Gabart all the same had the right to a nice ovation by the public who remained en masse at the foot of the Caribbean Center for expressions and memory of the slave trade and slavery. “The Little Prince of the Oceans” even displayed a beautiful smile as he greeted the crowd, containing his joy despite everything. Sitting cross-legged on the float of his boat, he returned with philosophy to this second place. A failure because a sailor of his caliber only aims for excellence, but this second place in the transatlantic remains despite everything encouraging for the future in the category because his boat was launched in July 2021 only.
Last night, I saw clearly that without incident, the victory would be very difficult to get.
Francois Gabart
«There is bound to be a little disappointment because we would have liked to be in front, but second in the Route du rhum, that’s not nothing. The boat has made further progress compared to last year with phases where we were going very fast“, relativized the Breton who did not give up until the end even if he had felt from Tuesday evening that victory was definitely escaping him. “I know that with this race, things can happen until the end. Last night, I saw that the weather situation around Guadeloupe was not as complicated as it was four years ago. I didn’t want it but I knew a lot could happen. Thomas (Coville, editor’s note) took a net well this morning so I had to play the shot to the end and in a corner of my head I always said to myself: “Act as if you are playing for victory, every second is important. . Last night, I saw clearly that without incident, the victory would be very difficult to get.»
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Gabart still wanted to salute the triumph of Charles Caudrelier. “I distinguish two things, that of the boat and the team and I’m thinking of Sébastien Josse four years ago who was the arch-favorite but who didn’t see the finish. As for Charles, he has won everything for 3-4 years and he dominates the Ultim class by far. It’s an extraordinary boat that we’re getting closer to, and I even think that in certain conditions we can be ahead of her. A big congratulations to Charles. I have very few doubts that he’s a great solo sailor even though he’s been with a crew for many years.»
I don’t really like the word revenge but we have the potential with the team and the boat
Francois Gabart
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The winner of the Route du rhum (in Imoca) 2014 already had his sights set on the future with his new generation boat. “We can still progress, there are plenty of things to improve, we have nothing to be ashamed of. The connection with the boat was super strong whereas four years ago I was already a couple of regulars (with Macif, editor’s note). There, I am in a period of excitement and discovery. We learn, we discover, we progress, we take care of each other despite a foil problem“, he added visibly in a hurry to rub shoulders once again with Charles Caudrelier and the competition. “I don’t really like the word revenge but we have the potential with the team and the boat. It bodes well for great things in the years to come, that’s for sure.The next duel between the two behemoths in the category of giants of the seas: 2023 with an appetizing solo round the world departing from Brest reserved for the Ultims.