While the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre ended in mid-November, it is now time for some skippers to make the opposite journey solo on their Imoca monohull. This is the goal of the “Return to Base” transatlantic race, which set off on November 30 from Fort-de-France.
Engaged in this event, skipper Antoine Cornic probably did not think he would experience such an ordeal. On board his monohull “Human Immobilier”, he must coexist with dengue fever. It is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, which causes fever and severe fatigue. Not ideal for a person who wants to cross the ocean.
In a video he posted on YouTube, the navigator commented on the ordeal he was undergoing, which began during the night from Friday to Saturday: “I am extremely tired, I have a lot of fever, aches and pains. I’m sweating everywhere, so everything becomes complicated in terms of maneuvers. I’m not very hungry. I’m going to try to sleep, because it’s quite hard, hoping that it passes quickly enough,” he described.
Before dwelling on the difficulties he is going through: “It’s not complicated, I’m physically devastated. I can’t move a sail. Yesterday, a 10 minute maneuver took me 40 and I slept 6 hours afterwards. I’m sad because I can’t fight anymore. I had set a good pace, but now my brain is telling my body that it’s not possible. I will see my comrades leave without being able to fight. I have rage inside me and the most astonishing thing I no longer even have the strength to scream to get it out. (…) Being able to drink is already huge. What an experience. My stork will bring me back, I am sure, less well placed than I imagined, but we will return. This message took me 2 hours, my eyes hurt…I kiss the sea for you,” he concluded. He is currently 28th and still has to cover 2,500 miles before arriving at his destination.
