Winning the in-port race was a huge achievement and a just reward for the Biotherm team who have had endured a difficult trip across the Atlantic.

After having nursed their boat to Norway after they had broken a shroud during Leg 5, Paul Meihat’s team only arrived in Aarhus at 9pm on the evening before the in port race. 

But when they headed back out on the water to face light and tricky conditions, they turned their misfortunes into sharp focus to deliver an emphatic win.

And while a success around a three lap inshore course means little for the overall points score, the victory meant a great deal to Meihat and his crew. 

This was also the perfect time to ask him why and what his thoughts were about a campaign around the world that has been a battle as much as a race. 

© Sailing Energy / The Ocena Race

“Today’s win is really important to us because we showed that Biotherm is a good project,” he said. “We have fought with the issues that have come our way, we have solved problems and it was important to show that we are a group of good sailors and a solid team on the shore too that can perform. 

“So far we have come second and third in the in-port races so it was good to score this victory. Now the challenge is to do the same for a leg and we have two opportunities and that's really important because we are putting in a lot of energy and a lot of sacrifices are being made including very little sleep. So, I think today was a very good present for the team, our shore team, the sponsors, for everyone. 

“Overall, it's been really hard, but it's exactly what I expected. I have not been surprised about what has happened and I’m not surprised about the top three teams because they have managed their projects really well. Yes, they have more money, but they have done well and I want to congratulate them. 

“The gap between us and them is a bit big but I think during the two last legs we can do something to demonstrate what we can achieve. But for the race overall we are a bit behind. 

“I want to come back to the race in four years with another project with more time and more money. But at the moment I'm really happy because we have kept the strategy from the start and we have kept it simple and it works.”

© Sailing Energy / The Ocena Race

But if you had to pick more money or more time which would it be?

“Time and money are the same in a campaign like this. It's a big challenge whichever way you look at it. We didn't know the race before, now we do and I think the most important thing that was on the top of my list at the start was to keep the spirit in the team. And we have succeeded on this point and I think it's the key, it's why we are here today, because we kept the spirit. 

“The challenge in Itajai was really big because the foils and cases were damaged. The shore team put in a huge effort along with the sailors and it's great. It's not enough to win the race, but it's enough to be in the race scoring results and have some good. moments.”

“Sure, it's valuable, but I don't want to have this in my mind because for me, The Ocean Race is The Ocean Race. I’m not doing this because I want to prepare my Vendée Globe. Mentally I want to separate the two things. When The Ocean Race is over I will think about the Vendée Globe, but not yet. 

“But it is true that this race is very important. I know the boat perfectly from the bow to the stern now. The shore team have made huge progress on the systems and the structures and we have made big, big steps forward. I think as the IMOCA class we have also made a huge step forward in reliability as well. 

© Amory Ross / 11th Hour Racing Team

"There should be five boats finishing in Genova and at the beginning nobody believed that that would be possible. They thought that after the first leg half of the fleet is over and we have shown that it's possible to do The Ocean Race, to push the boat more than 100 percent. Sure, we broke many things, but we are still in the race.”

But do you think it would have been possible for teams to have learned this much about the full potential of an IMOCA in a solo campaign? Has the full crew allowed you to see something you might not have seen otherwise?

“Yes, but it's different. I think in The Ocean Race the percentage that the boat plays is 80-percent, but in the Vendée Globe the peformance of the boat counts for maybe 30-percent. Because with a crew you're pushing the boat 100 percent. 

“But sailing alone, if you break something you repair it yourself. The Vendée Globe is a ‘no mistake’ race, it's not about the potential of the boat and it is about the ability of the project to rebuild the boat. Ultimately, it’s about you and you and so it's totally different. 

“So, I think it's good to do The Ocean Race as a preparation, but I think it's totally different. It doesn't mean that a boat that does well in The Ocean Race is going to be good in the Vendée Globe. But I'm also sure that the next edition of The Ocean Race will see 10-15 boats. It has been good to be part of this story because it was the first one and we're happy to do that. 

Matthew Sheahan

www.the.oceanrace.com

Cover photo © Sailing Energy / The Ocena Race