Dismasting two months before the Vendée Globe, a technical and financial challenge for the Fortinet team – Best Western

Last Friday, September 13, at 3:13 am, the IMOCA Fortinet-Best Western skippered by Romain Attanasio dismasted on the Défi Azimut off Lorient. This was a major blow for the sailor, less than two months before the start of the Vendée Globe in Les Sables d’Olonne. Barely had the boat been moored, and the team was already hard at work on two major challenges: refitting a mast on the IMOCA Fortinet – Best Western, and financing the operation. All within a few weeks. The clock is ticking…

Interview with Romain Attanasio

Romain, can you talk about the dismasting of your IMOCA Fortinet – Best Western last Thursday night?

“As we were preparing the maneuver to approach the Hervé Laurent course mark of the 48h Défi Azimut, we felt the boat banging, then heard a first abnormal bang, followed by a second. Adrien, our Boat Captain, who was at the stern, saw the Défi Azimut flag pass in front of him, then the mast fall. When I got out of the cockpit, I saw the mast in the water, broken, and I just stood there with my arms flailing, not knowing what to do, telling myself it couldn’t be! Then, very quickly, the thoughts started to flow, the first of which was “what are we going to do? The most urgent thing was to preserve the boat and salvage as much equipment as possible. We were able to save the outriggers, the furlers… Unfortunately, we were in Vendée Globe configuration, so we lost everything that was new, such as the set of sails, the halyards, the hooks, the mainsail travellers… Once the race management had been informed and the boat secured, we set off under motor for Lorient. At the same time, the shore team immediately set to work to notify the partners and our loved ones and begin to find solutions to replace the mast and lost equipment, and to draw up an initial budget.”

Have you found an explanation for the dismasting?

“Our initial findings suggest a break in the lower shroud, but we’re awaiting the conclusions of the expert who should be here later today. This dismasting is quite a setback, and yet in our misfortune, we were a bit lucky that it happened during the Défi, in Lorient, where our technical base is, and just under two months from the start of the Vendée Globe.”

You don’t seem downhearted. What’s your state of mind?

“More combative than ever. The team and I are in the same frame of mind. We know that the challenge of making it to the start of the Vendée Globe is going to be complicated, and that in a short space of time we have two major issues to deal with. One is technical, as we have to find a replacement mast, buy equipment, place emergency orders… It’s a lot of work for the technical team, but strangely enough, that’s not what worries me most. I believe in the solidarity of seafarers, and many teams have already offered help and equipment. We have solutions. The other issue, which is much more complex, is to raise the funds quickly to get the repairs underway. Although my partners are, and will remain, more than ever at my side, the cost of this operation is in excess of 500,000 euros, a substantial sum that exceeds our current financial capacities and the additional help that our partners can provide. We therefore need to find new supporters.”

Is this the biggest challenge of your career?

“Whether it’s Dans les coulisses du Vendée Globe, which has just been published by Glénat, or my two previous Vendée Globes, I’ve never made a secret of the fact that I’ve come up against numerous obstacles both at sea and on land. This one is particularly tough, and comes at a crucial time. As I often say about the Vendée Globe: the first victory is to be at the start. It takes four years of preparation, recruiting a team of specialists and the unfailing support of my partners. Yes, it’s the biggest blow, but I’ve never been so well equipped to deal with it. Since my first Vendée Globe, my project has gone from strength to strength. Today, I know I can rely on my team, they’re not afraid of the workload ahead, and along with my partners, they were the first to tell me we’d be at the start. I’ve also received a huge number of messages of support from friends and family, strangers and members of other teams. After so much effort, it’s unthinkable that Fortinet – Best Western won’t be moored in Port Olona with the other IMOCA boats on October 18 for the opening of the village.”

What’s your plan of action to meet this challenge?

“The first step is to find a mast. Thanks to the help of the other teams, I have several serious proposals, but not yet the financing. All fronts are mobilized. Some of my partners are discussing the possibility of an extension, while others are opening their address books to us. Within my team, we’re focusing on finding new sponsors, studying the possibilities of a bank loan and we’ve just put a Leetchi fund online. We’re also counting on the media and the Vendée Globe press conference on September 19 to give us maximum exposure.”

Any last words?

“We’re already looking forward to seeing you on November 10 at the starting line of the 10th Vendée Globe.