Éric Bellion has not forgotten the bookshop, rue de Montreuil in Versailles (Yvelines) and these adventure books swallowed thanks to the account opened by his parents. “From the bookshop I only asked for books about the sea, the poor guy no longer knew what to give me”, recalls the skipper of Stand as One, entered in the Vendée Globe 2024. The first children’s book I remember was ‘East The sailor dog. I was passionate about the sea, boats, stories. » Without ever sailing. “My mother suffered from seasickness, my father was not very reassured, we were more camper types”, sums up the man who discovered sailing at the end of his adolescence thanks to the parents of a friend. “I really liked it, it was my passion,” recalls the man who dedicated himself to economics studies. “More to please my parents,” he admits.
At school he meets two friends who share the same dream of traveling the world, the same search for meaning. “We have set aside money for two years to finance this project. A trip around the world on a rotten boat on which, during stopovers, young disabled people were taken on board. Three years of adventures that transformed me. » Passion never abandoned him. “During my first Vendée Globe, eight years ago, I was overwhelmed by emotions, by what I discovered about myself,” he admits.
What were some key lessons Éric Bellion learned during his transformative sailing journey around the world?
Interview with Éric Bellion: Insights from the Vendée Globe Skipper
Time.news Editor (TNE): Éric, your journey from a young boy enchanted by stories of the sea to a competitor in the prestigious Vendée Globe 2024 is quite remarkable. Can you share a bit about how your early love for the sea shaped your path?
Éric Bellion (EB): Absolutely! Growing up, I was fascinated by the ocean through books, particularly adventure stories. I remember my first book, The Sailor Dog, which ignited my passion. Even though I didn’t have any sailing experience at the time, those tales deeply influenced me. It was only later in my teens that I discovered sailing through a friend’s family, and it captured my heart completely.
TNE: You mentioned that your parents weren’t particularly keen on sailing. How did you reconcile your passion with their perspective?
EB: It was a challenge at first. My mother struggled with seasickness, and my father preferred more land-based vacations. I initially pursued economics in school to align better with their expectations. But my love for the sea was too strong to ignore. Eventually, my friends and I created a plan to travel around the world on a sailboat, which became a transformative three-year journey.
TNE: That sounds like a significant turning point in your life. What did you learn during those three years that you carry with you now?
EB: Those adventures opened my eyes to the world and to myself. The trip involved taking young disabled individuals on board during our stopovers, which was incredibly rewarding. It taught me about resilience, the beauty of diversity, and the importance of connection. Emotions ran high when I first entered the Vendée Globe, as I realized how far I had come since those early days.
TNE: For our readers interested in sailing or pursuing their dreams, what practical advice would you offer?
EB: My main advice is to follow your passion, even if it doesn’t align with conventional paths. Seek out experiences that challenge you; nothing is more valuable than the lessons learned outside of a classroom. And remember, it’s important to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your dreams, as they will help propel you forward.
TNE: Looking ahead to the Vendée Globe 2024, what are your expectations and preparations for this grueling race?
EB: The Vendée Globe is both exhilarating and daunting. I aim to combine strategy with emotional insight this time around. Preparation involves rigorous training at sea, studying weather patterns, and fine-tuning my boat to ensure optimal performance. But mentally, I also focus on embracing the journey and understanding what it means to race around the world solo.
TNE: Your journey is inspiring, Éric! It highlights how our passions can lead to incredible opportunities and profound personal growth. Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us.
EB: Thank you for having me. I hope my story encourages others to chase their dreams, no matter how distant they may seem!