Tanguy Le Turquais Faces Exhaustion After Two Months at Sea in the Vendée Globe

As Tanguy Le Turquais neared the legendary Cape Horn in the Vendée Globe, he faced fierce storms and physical exhaustion. Despite challenges like a torn sail, he celebrated the iconic landmark’s sight, reflecting on his journey and the support of his team. With Benjamin Ferré in his sights, he pushed through difficult conditions, acknowledging the toll on his body. After 62 days at sea, he experienced extreme fatigue but found relief in the calming weather.

As the ninth week of the Vendée Globe commenced, Tanguy Le Turquais, currently positioned in 21st place, was on the verge of achieving his long-held dream of rounding the iconic Cape Horn. However, the journey was not without its challenges, as a fierce storm loomed ahead. ‘We are 200 miles from Cape Horn, and Neptune has decided to unleash everything. I’m feeling a bit breathless right now. I need to brace myself for a few more hours. 200 miles translates to about 10-11 hours. The stress level is at its peak’, shared the skipper of Lazare.

The Thrill of Cape Horn

With a blend of joy and relief coursing through him, Tanguy Le Turquais finally rounded the legendary Cape Horn. His excitement was palpable as he gazed at this historic landmark: ‘I was convinced I wouldn’t see it, but yes, we can see it! It’s so small, over there, we can spot Cape Horn! It’s incredible!’ For sailors, the dream of passing Cape Horn is universal: ‘I’m overjoyed. I grew up idolizing images of sailors rounding Cape Horn. Today, that sailor is me, I’m elated.’ Acknowledging the significance of this moment, he expressed heartfelt gratitude: ‘Thank you all for making this dream a reality. I think of my team, we’ve been working together for three years, and to all the partners who made this journey possible.’ He also reflected on the Lazare association he represents during this round-the-world voyage: ‘I’ve proudly shown the colors! If you think my adventure is thrilling, it’s nothing compared to what we experience in the Lazare shared houses.’

Challenging Benjamin Ferré

As Tanguy Le Turquais navigated through the calm before the storm, he found himself in a serene sea: ‘It’s nice because I’m downwind of the Falklands. However, strong winds are on the horizon; it’s currently at 35 knots, soon to ramp up to 40. A significant depression is brewing. I nearly paused my journey before Cape Horn to let it pass. Ultimately, I chose to push through.’ The sailor knew he had to seize this opportunity to narrow the gap with Benjamin Ferré, who was still leading him in 20th place. ‘We are going after Benjamin Ferré who is really pushing me.’ Yet, Tanguy was aware that he would soon face his final depression in the southern hemisphere, after which it would be ‘short t-shirt and sunshine.’

Another Sail Lost

The passage through the depression near the Falkland Islands proved challenging for Tanguy Le Turquais. ‘I just had my small gennaker explode while surfing. I hadn’t slept in 60 hours and had just laid down’, lamented the skipper, explaining that ‘this sail was crucial for gaining an edge over competitors. Now, it has torn in two.’ Fortunately, with just four weeks of racing remaining, he remains determined: ‘I might be a bit handicapped in the last week, but that won’t deter us.’ The loss of this sail capped off a difficult week for Tanguy: ‘I really need to rest.’

When the Body Fails at Sea

After 62 days of navigating through often harsh conditions, Tanguy Le Turquais realized he was pushing his body to its limits: ‘Something incredible just happened. I collapsed. I lay down in my bunk with music in my ears. When I awoke four hours later, my body was aching all over. My arms felt stiff, and I had blisters on my hands.’ He experienced firsthand the physical limits that accompany extreme fatigue. ‘It feels like we’ve been living underwater for a month. Now, with the temperature rising and the sea calming, my body is finally relaxing, and so is my mind. It feels so good.’

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