Clarisse Crémer crosses the finish line of Retour à La Base
by L'Occitane Sailing Team 12 Dec 2023 16:32 NZDT
11 December 2023
L'Occitane Sailing Team - Retour à La Base © Anne Beaugé | L'Occitane Sailing Team
After a 11-day solo Atlantic Ocean crossing alongside 31 other IMOCA racers, Clarisse Crémer has just crossed the finish line of Retour à La Base at 21h 33min on Monday. The skipper concludes this major qualification stage beautifully, setting the stage for her ticket to the Vendée Globe 2024.
On land, her first words, filled with emotion and relief, perfectly reflect the intensity of this race: "Finally I have arrived! It was my first solo race on this boat and I it feels good to be back. It was intense from the start sailing upwind from Martinique in the warmth, then the sea state built as we hurtled downwind across the Atlantic and that's when it gets more and more uncomfortable onboard - but it's to be expected on these boats. The good news is this solo race has given me the chance to learn more about my boat. Of course, I had a few issues on board some were more annoying that others - the J2 sail luff zip was a problem as it undid itself from the bottom and was just above where I could reach to fix it properly and the cockpit doors are letting in water so it's hard to stay dry - but nothing that stopped me from continuing. I'm happy to have ticked off this qualifying race and to have firmly entered the race for miles."
No time to rest
Over a period of 12 days, the weather conditions offered little time for rest. From the departure in Fort-de-France, the fleet of IMOCA boats headed north. Soon, they encountered a front in the northern Atlantic, leading to powerful gusts and rough seas. The second stage was even more challenging, marked by the return of wintry weather with waves ranging from 4 to 6 meters with varying winds.
"I struggled to sleep in the first few days, and then again towards the end of the race, when the weather worsened, and it became more difficult for me to rest" Clarisse recounts. On board, the conditions were damp, with 6-meter swells in the last few days crashing onto the boat and water often soaking the cockpit.
A crucial stage for Vendée Globe qualification
To qualify for the Vendée Globe 2024, the official candidates must start at least two qualifying races between 2022 and 2024 on the boat in which they aim to compete in the race, and they must have finished at least one of these within one and a half times the winner's finishing time. In 2023, the Retour à la Base was the sole opportunity to take part in a qualifying solo race and Clarisse onboard L'Occitane en Provence now has now ticked off this stage and has miles in the 'bank'.
Competition vs Qualification
"It's a 12th-place finish, indeed, but the main thing for me was to finish this race with the boat in good shape. Firstly, to qualify for the Vendée Globe and secondly, to have a boat in the best possible condition to compete next year. So, on board, I had to be rational and not let my competitive spirit override the race objective. I had to finish the race, but not at any cost, even if it was frustrating to have to slow down at times to lessen the risks" explains Clarisse, reflecting on her race, before adding, "and 12 days alone at sea, in these conditions, was also excellent training both for the Vendée Globe next year and to familiarize myself with this boat. I learned a lot during the Transat Jacques Vabre with my co-skipper Alan Roberts, but being alone, in challenging conditions, you learn even more as you only have yourself to rely on. I'm really pleased with this boat and the work the team have put me to get me to this point.
Following a debrief with her technical team, Clarisse will take some well-earned rest with her family. The big year of 2024 is not far away and is already packed with a substantial period of boat work, two transatlantic races, and - hopefully - a Vendée Globe!