Giancarlo Pedote concludes his second Vendée Globe: “A roller coaster of emotions” – Interview by DN
On 4 February at 09:34:01 the sailor from Florence completed his second trip around the world in solitary without stopping on his IMOCA Prysmian, after 85 days, 20 hours and 32 minutes in the ocean. Daily Nautica spoke to him upon his return
On 4 February at 09:34:01 the sailor from Florence completed his second trip around the world in solitary without stopping on his IMOCA Prysmian, after 85 days, 20 hours and 32 minutes in the ocean. Daily Nautica spoke to him upon his return
Concluding the Vendée Globe, a race around the world with no stops or help, navigating around three “great capes” – Good Hope, Leewin and Horn – is already a great feat for a solitary sailor. Completing it twice means consolidating the identity of a professional sailor. This is the case for Giancarlo Pedote, the only Italian participating this year, who, on 4 February at 09:34:01 crossed the finish line at Les Sables d’Olonne, thereby completing his second world race on board his IMOCA Prysmian, in 22nd place, after 85 days, 20 hours and 32 minutes at sea.
A result that, according to the Florentine sailor, was not what he had initially hoped to achieve, but he does appreciate the strength and the depth of the adventure. Winning this edition, in just 64 days was Charlie Dalin, from France, who managed to complete a perfect race.
“Each Vendée Globe – said Pedote just after arriving – is unique and needs to be faced with humility. This race is unpredictable and I am proud to have finished it, in spite of the difficulties. I especially don’t want to believe that the final evaluation after four years of hard training by myself and my team, is just limited to this number. The judges of the Vendée Globe give a number, without taking into consideration any difficulties encountered, without truly understanding this race. Just reaching the end is far more important for a sailor than the final ranking.”
In 85 days at sea in solitary, Pedote dealt with moments of excitement and difficulty: from his first important tactical decision to cross an area of calm off the Canary Islands in order to try climbing back up the ranks, to damaging a sail, requiring 14 hours of repair during a key moment, slowing him down and making him slide down the ranks. After having rounded the Cape of Good Hope, Prysmian battled with other rivals nearby, but a series of low pressure systems upon entering the Indian Ocean, culled the fleet.
In that moment, serious damage to the left rudder, which slid out of place compromising boat control, made him doubt whether or not he would “make it to the end.” The repairs, however, held, even though he had to continue more slowly. In the South Atlantic, the sailor was therefore unable to “attack” like he had hoped, due in part to the unstable weather conditions, and the damage to the rudder. Arriving at Les Sables d’Olonne was a joy and a relief and Daily Nautica interviewed him by phone to find out more about his adventure as soon as he reached land.
Welcome back, Giancarlo! Let’s start at the end: tell us about your arrival.
“This last week was hard, because the rudder was showing signs of failing after the repair, so I had to take a more northerly route so I didn’t stress it. If I’d had headed up like my competitors, I would have put on full load, and something in the transmission system would have broken. It was also difficult because of the wind’s “game”, which moved all the boats back making us all start again, the last sprint in a series since the beginning of the race, but I could not participate or else I would have risked too much…that left a bad taste in my mouth. The day I arrived, though, was marvellous, the best part of the Vendée Globe, because all your problems disappear and you see your family, friends and team again. It marks a return to normality after so much sacrifice.”
What moment made you most proud of yourself, and of your boat?
“When I hit the record of miles sailed in a day, 524.82 mile: everything was going well, and I felt happy.”
How do you feel about this Vendée Globe compared to the one you did four years ago?
“My experience in the first Vendée Globe was there, but it was hard to quantify how much I had grown. I knew I was prepared, even though the dynamics would certainly be different, and so, obviously would be the feelings. Like in the Vendée Globe four years ago, there were highs and lows, extreme happiness, and the despair of wondering if I would ever make it home.”
What was the hardest moment in these 85 days at sea?
“When we are at the Nemo point (editor’s note: the point in the ocean that is furthest from land, in the Pacific Ocean) I had problems with my engine, right on my birthday, 26 December. The starting motor wouldn’t work and the part I had on board was was for a different model: a member of my mechanical team said there was nothing to be done, but we had to find a solution. I only had one hydrogenerator and a few solar panels, so I urgently needed to recharge the batteries. In the end we found a solution by adapting the part for the engine, creating a castle of clubs, making spacers, and getting it to start again.
What are your plans now?
“Soon I will take the boat to Lorient and leave it in the shipyard there for repairs. Then I am spending quality time with my family, and catch up on all that I missed not just in the three months of the Vendée Globe, but in the last four years. Sporting plans for this year include the Transat Jacques Vabre, then we’ll see.”
