Marchand: The stress is constant, you can never switch off

Every Tuesday of the Arkea Ultim Challenge-Brest we speak to a skipper in detail. Today it is the turn of Anthony Marchand currently lying fourth in this solo multihull round-the-world race. Our conversation took place early this Tuesday morning French time, for him in the middle of the night in the heart of the Pacific. 

'Antho' talks for about twenty minutes. He is enthusiastic, alert, sometimes funny. The skipper of Actual Ultim 3 is having to work hard aboard his boat which effectively has no foils. The starboard foil is locked in the 'up' position and the remainder. Regardless, the 38 year old ex Figaro ace knows how to make the most of everything despite adversity and continues to progress with Cape Horn in his sights.

Can you describe the atmosphere of the moment aboard Actual Ultim 3?

"It's pitch black, I have little alarms flashing here and there. And otherwise there are big waves, spray, greyness, rain. I'm in a storm! You are always aware of the difference between the Southern Oceans and the Atlantic. The way of sailing here is completely different, as is the atmosphere, the feeling. In terms of energy, everything is multiplied by ten. You just can't ever switch off, you are not allowed to have moments of relaxation!

After more than a month of competition, how do you feel?

I'm glad I'm going again after my stopover in New Zealand. I realize that I had a crazy desire to go around the world. I'm happy to be here, even if it's not easy sailing without a foil. But I just can't wait to round Cape Horn!

"There's no point in thinking about it"

So to be clear you are sailing with no port foil and the starboard foil locked in the up position... What does this mean in terms of performance and handling the boat?

Without foils the floats are in the water, the waves are crashing against the front beams against the aerodynamic tarpaulin, the movements weaken the boat, the alarms are sounding. I try to increase the heel upwards but then the sailing is not pleasant at all. You realize that the foils bring a lot of speed but also a lot of comfort. And when you don't use them anymore, the comfort disappears!

How do you deal with it?

That's the way it is, you have to deal with it! There's no point in thinking about it, you have to keep moving forwards and try not to think about it.

You've made two stops, in South Africa and New Zealand. What's the hardest thing about stopping?
First of all, there is the actual decision that you have to make even if it's staring you in the face, obvious, it's sometimes still hard to admit it and take it on board. Then, you sometimes have 24 to 48 hours before you arrive in the port and that time is endless, it's the most difficult. And as soon as you arrive, you start fixing and preparing everything to get back on track as quickly as possible and above all stay in your race.

"I've had a very hard 48 hours"

In Dunedin, New Zealand, you set foot ashore to pick up fresh food from the supermarket... How was that as an experience?

"You're bound to feel out of place pushing your shopping trolley, especially since it's been weeks since I've washed properly. I was trying to focus on the fresh produce I wanted to take by doing it all fast so I could get back on the boat. Even so the moment felt a bit strange, I tried not to think too much and was careful to stay in "race mode", not to think about anything else. When you set foot on the ground, you have to be careful because you can quickly start to appreciate comfort and a quieter lifestyle again.

How would you describe your crossing of the Pacific?

I had 30 to 40 knots all day yesterday, gusts to 45 knots, 5 meters of seas... I'm on the wrong side of a depression, I'm trying to find the right sail configurations so I don't have to strain. I've had a very hard 48 hours and now it's getting better. We're going to have to be vigilant because from Thursday and through next Friday, I'm going to have a big depression before Cape Horn. I'll have to know if I manage to get in front of it or if I'll have to let it pass and so I'd need to slow down. It will be a strategic decision that we will have to make!

"Stress, a necessary state"

Did you have the feeling from the start that you had been close to your limits?
Yes, absolutely. There are few moments in life when you are so constantly challenged.
It's a great feeling because it makes you advance and grow. As soon as you've solved one problem and there you are telling yourself that you don't have the strength to solve another problem. But then you don't have a choice and you roll up your sleeves again. What is not easy psychologically is when the weather is against you, but you can always find strength and happiness in something, somewhere.

Where's the happiness?

It's absolutely about realising that you're sailing around the world, solo and in an ULTIM. Even though the boat is no longer at 100% capacity, it's great to be here. I've dreamed of this challenge, this round-the-world passage and even if it's so hard, I can't give up on it.

What do you think of Charles' race?

Charles sailed really well and he managed to open up a gap at the beginning. He seems to have a boat in very good condition. It's great for him and it's a reward for the great work of his technical team, his routing posse. Gitana is a team that I like a lot, I'm very happy for them.

Do you ever get bored on board?

Not really, because there's always stress. It's not stress that's linked to fear, it's a necessary, constant state of ultra high awareness to be constantly listening to the wind, to the noises, to an alarm that sounds. In the end, it's when the conditions are very calm or it's in a squall that I find it hardest to sleep. I need to put up sail and go fast. It's going to be weird to be back on land at the finish and not have that stress anymore!

Is loneliness troublesome?

No, I don't think so. We are in constant communication with the technical team on shore. You know that there are always people following you on the carto and subconsciously, that is a a presence you are always aware of. In reality you feel more alone on an ordinary delivery passage with nothing at stake...."