Anthony Marchand: “Only when we finish will we have achieved something extraordinary”

Arkea Ultim Challenge © Thierry Martinez

When it comes to racing Ultims, compared to Caudrelier Le Cléac'h and Coville for example, Anthony Marchand is a relative newcomer. A former Figaro ace - he did nine La Solitaire du Figaros - 'Antho' took over the helm of the Actual Ultim from Yves Le Blevec after last year's Route du Rhum. But he has trained hard with the boat which set the current the solo round the world record, 42 days 16 hours, in the hands of François Gabart and is ready for the challenge. And as a determined competitor he is not going round the world on the ARKÉA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest just to complete the circle.

At the age of 38, he will be setting off on his first round the world passage determined that it will be an enjoyable, fulfilling experience. Meeting him at four days to go it is surprising to see how relaxed he looks. He says his chilled demeanour may be a way of protecting himself. He is forthright, though, in admitting his doubts, he expresses his excitement at what he is about to take out and shows a sense of humour too. Sometimes he loses track of what he is saying. "I'm turning into Thomas Coville!" he joked (rival Thomas Coville is renowned for his philosophical meanderings). 'Antho' is obviously a keen, focused competitor who fully intends to fight hard and do everything he can to keep up with the three faster, newer generation Ultims.

What is your state of mind at the moment?

I still feel great and relaxed, even if things are starting to move with all the media interest, the briefing on Wednesday and my sport sessions... But for the moment, everything is going smoothly. In general, I have managed to organise my weeks leading up to the race, which means that quite a lot of the pressure is off. There is bound to be a lot of stress before the start, but I don't want the whole week to be stressful.

Are you feeling apprehensive about the day of the start?

I can't wait to see whether my method of working is efficient. I feel like I deal well with the days before the start. I experienced that in Le Havre, but that was double-handed (the Transat Jacques Vabre). I find out a lot about myself in these situations. If things work out well, I don't experience that much stress and can enjoy the start, which would be fantastic. I don't think any race can be more stressful that this one. It's the ultimate stress test! "I can't stand heeling over"

When did you first feel that you were able to do this round the world race?

I think it was on the delivery trip back from the Route du Rhum, Yves handed over his boat to me. I told myself it could be done and that I was capable of doing it. At the end of that transatlantic crossing, I signed up for the round the world race. The day I joined Actual, it was after a lot of thought and didn't just happen. Following that I had a year of training, and discovered the Southern Ocean in The Ocean Race, which contributed to my progress to get me here I am now.

How would you describe the pleasure you feel on an Ultim?

There is the fact that you sail above the water, and you are not affected even when there are 2-3 m high waves. It feels like you are flying on a magic carpet. It is also enjoyable when you can sail flat... I can't stand heeling over! Then, sometimes there are contradictory feelings. On the one hand, these are monsters of the sea, where everything is huge, but on the other hand, it is easier to handle than you might think, as if they were flying dinghies.

Is it an advantage to be on a boat that has already been around the world?

Yes, of course and not just the round the world voyage: there were the Route du Rhum and Transat Jacques Vabre races and all the miles she has clocked up. She is a boat that has changed a lot. She has gone to flying mode. The floats were lengthened. She was fitted with big foils, a daggerboard with a foil..."I want to sail wisely"

What is your race going to be like? Do you want to play it conservatively or be bold?

When it is time to try something, I'll go for it. In terms of performance, I want to set the level fairly high. I'm not sailing around the world just for the trip. My aim is not just to complete the voyage and go all the way at any cost... I would feel bad about getting left behind by the fleet. I prefer to be fast, give it my all, be up there in the contest, fighting hard, sailing well and not having any regrets.

What are the favourite points of sail for your boat?

We are slower than the others upwind. With the wind on the beam, the stronger the wind, the better it is. Downwind VMG, we are a bit slower, but our speed is correct. What is nice is that there is much more downwind sailing than upwind around the world, and that is good for us. The difference in speed is not enough for me to change my way of sailing in comparison to the others. I want to sail wisely, and sail on what I believe is the best route.

Do you think the boats will stick together or will there be huge gaps?

I don't know, but the aim is to remain close. I think that if we sail well to the Equator, we will be able to stay with the others, which is what happened in the Transat Jacques Vabre.

Do you feel like you are racing against opponents or skippers who share the same ideas as you?

When you are ashore we are just rivals like, we are opponents. But once we are out on the water, they are our 'companions de route', guys on the same journey, sharing a fantastic adventure. You don't want anything bad to happen to them. You don't want any of them to be forced to retire. You don't want them to have problems. You want the best for everyone and good race.

Do you feel proud about being part of this adventure?

It is widely said that this race is something extraordinary. However, all the superlatives will take on a real meaning, if we go all the way and manage to finish. At that point, we will have achieved something extraordinary. That is how I see it. It is maybe a way to protect myself. In any case, we'll see what it feels like at the finish.