On the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, he's already experienced it all. Francis Joyon has had two retirements (1994, 2000), a podium finish (2nd in 2010), and above all, a victory in 2018. This success, achieved after a nail-biting duel with François Gabart, has gone down in history. Francis Joyon, who turned 70 at the end of May, is preparing to compete in the race for the 9th time. He explains this latest participation as "a touch of madness," the sheer joy of rediscovering the Orma he launched in 1994, and his pleasure at the prospect of representing "Oceans" and supporting a Guadeloupean association that raises awareness about respecting the marine world. Francis Joyon speaks calmly and slowly, making you forget the frenzy and incredible effort he displays as soon as he's at sea. Confidences from a passionate man, always ready to set off again.
What prompted you to participate in the Route du Rhum again?
That's a question I ask myself too (laughs)! It's not necessarily very sensible, but I still have a bit of a wild streak. I was talking about it recently with Loïck Peyron: he went back with a small boat. Me, I prefer to do it on a big boat! More seriously, I'm really looking forward to going back on the boat I designed and with which I've had so many adventures.
With this Orma launched in 1994, you won the English Transat (2000) and experienced many adventures… How would you summarize your relationship with this boat?
I'm very attached to it. What's striking is that it's never been a neutral vessel. Everything is extremely intense all the time and sometimes difficult. But boredom and tranquility are foreign concepts to it!
"The level of competition will be very high in this race."
There will be six Orma skippers on the starting line… What is your view on the return to prominence of these boats?
It's a great joy to know that this class is being revived. These are extraordinary boats. Their sail area to weight ratio makes them more powerful than the Ultims. Furthermore, since we all already have existing boats, the carbon footprint is significantly reduced. On board my boat, Oceans , I've hardly changed its original configuration. Moreover, it's built from fiberglass and reinforced with carbon fiber. At the time, it was mainly a question of budget, but it was also a way to be at the forefront of being more environmentally responsible.
These are boats with a significant risk of capsizing. Where do we draw the line?
It's true that these are very demanding boats. During my qualifying race (1200 miles covered in July), I felt like the deck was constantly flooded. ORMA trimarans are very fast and can be incredibly aggressive. The level of competition will be very high in this edition. But it's hard to know if everything will be decided in the first few days or if we'll have to wait until we round Guadeloupe.
"In direct contact with the elements"
More broadly, how would you summarize your history with the Route du Rhum?
These have always been powerful and intense experiences. And I think that's why I keep going back. They are great moments of passion and adventure. I've experienced some wonderful editions and others that were a little less fortunate (capsizing in 2002). Naturally, the most unforgettable editions will always be my first in 1990 and my victory in 2018. For me, the Route du Rhum is an extreme race, even more so than a round-the-world race. In a round-the-world race, you're focused on managing your resources, whereas here, the sailor is constantly striving for performance!
Do you have to be prepared to suffer, to get hurt?
Yes, even more so on these boats, which are completely uncomfortable! There's not a place to sit down on board. Not even between two winches is possible, and above all, you're constantly soaked! But that's also part of the charm of these boats. On board, you're on the front line, in privileged contact with the sea and directly exposed to the elements.
"Being in harmony with the planet"
It seems like you don't age… What's your secret?
I was talking about this recently with Charlie Cappelle. What explains it, what remains, is passion. I'm not competing to feed my family or to prove anything. I simply want to indulge my passion for going to sea, for having an extreme adventure. I feel like I haven't yet exhausted all my energy for it. It's something you feel and that's difficult to explain with words.
Your participation also carries a strong message, as your boat has been renamed "Oceans".
Yes, it's invaluable to be able to sail and race while being in harmony with the planet. We can't harm the oceans and animal life. These are concerns I've had since I was 15, and we can clearly see the situation deteriorating more and more. It's up to us to enable boats to be completely energy self-sufficient and to ensure we minimize the risk of collisions with cetaceans. And naturally, this has made me even more determined to take positive action.
Through the "Oceans" banner, you are indeed supporting two Guadeloupean associations…
Yes, it's the School of the Sea and IGREC Mer. The former raises awareness among young people about respecting the marine world. It offers activities, workshops, and outings in natural environments. IGREC Mer, for its part, focuses on caring for injured sea turtles, restoring coral reefs, and raising awareness among all audiences. These projects bring young people and the people of Guadeloupe closer to the sea and allow them to discover all its wonders. It's rewarding to compete in a race for a good cause. Even though the financial balance is still a bit precarious—I'm looking for a few more sponsors or partners—I find it particularly enjoyable. And it's a great source of motivation!
* Guadeloupean Initiative for the Restoration of Marine Ecosystems