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| On Monday, November 10th at 5:27 p.m. local time (9:27 p.m. UTC), Mini Skippy and I crossed the finish line in Saint-François, Guadeloupe.
After more than 16 days alone at sea, we completed this Atlantic crossing aboard a 6.50 meter boat, without assistance, without communication, relying on my training, skill and resilience.
The final miles delivered a thrilling showdown: a side-by-side sprint with another competitor to secure 20th place in the production boat ranking.
As the finish line appeared on the horizon, Mini Skippy was behind Antoine Canivet’s pink boat, having overtaken him during the night and then fallen back. I knew I had to make a move and switching into match racing mode, I used the gusts and waves glide slightly downwind, and with a little burst of speed came level before overtaking his pink boat just meters before the line. I knew that with the first leg cancelled, this was it. Not the moment to give up.
After more than two weeks, 2,600 miles sailed, and an entire ocean crossed, we clinched the finish in a photo finish, just 27 seconds ahead. |
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16 jours 6 heures 27 minutes 17sec |
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| “I experienced the finish with a bit of pressure, but not too much. I got overtaken at Basse-Terre, and I thought to myself: ‘This isn’t right, I can’t let go now!’ There was a brief moment when I could bear away just a little and slide along the gusts.” | |
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| A sunset finish and a festive arrival at the dock, surrounded by family and fellow skippers. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Mini Skippy crossed the line after more than 16 days at sea, an arrival bathed in golden light, both symbolic and unforgettable. As Antoine put it, “We did our absolute best to give you a show. Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t have done better than that!”
At the pontoon, the atmosphere was electric. Family, friends, and other skippers were there to welcome me with open arms. There was champagne, laughter, and long-awaited hugs. The emotion was palpable, relief and joy all blending together in this powerful moment of reunion.
I have 2 videos to share with you Of most important is a special thank you to all who have supported and helped me in so many ways on this incredible journey (Video 2)
This journey did not begin on the starting line, this journey started a little over 3 years ago. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved. Although I may be the sole pilot of my boat, I could not have gone a single metre without your support.
Thank you, thank you, Thank you!
Mark
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