The Éole project supported by Terre Exotique aims to gradually convert the delivery of its goods to France, with a carbon-free solution, the sailboat being the best,” begins skipper Jean-Guillem Destremau in front of the former racing boat which participated in several Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum and other solo races. Today it is used to transport spices. Quickly.
The sailor says that “it started in 2020, in the middle of Covid, which caused a delay in the preparation of the boat and the significant modifications that were necessary to make it suitable for its new missions, with essential reinforcements here and there” . Insufficient to discourage the crew, who quickly set sail for Greece, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon, Brazil, with crossings that were not always easy. “We learned the limits of a boat that is not always suitable for transporting cargo. It remained to be seen whether there was the possibility of finding financial balance for the company. In short, if it all made sense,” explains the navigator. The results are rather reassuring, since after eight journeys at sea, the adventure continues. “We even want to develop, move forward. And we are on the way to purchasing a second boat of 20-25 meters for 2024, heavier and more solid to go everywhere,” indicates Jean-Guillem. However, converting an ex-racing boat into a cargo ship is not within everyone’s reach. “Its load capacities are too limited and management reserved for a few initiates. It doesn’t drive quite like a moped,” smiles the skipper.
To Crete and Egypt
The 18-metre Imoca must set sail again by the beginning of October for new spicy adventures, after a long period of immobilization since March after its mast was torn off a few hundred kilometers from the South American coast. while he was bringing back nearly 2 tons of pepper from Bahia. It is alone that Jean-Guillem undertakes to bring the boat and its cargo safely to port with the little remaining canvas, very slowly. And as he finally prepares to return to Toulon, a call from the authorities requires a diversion to Marseille so that the spices can be sifted through the customs laboratory. “It added a few days but we were already completely in trouble in terms of planning,” says the technical manager of the Éole mission. The team is ready to set sail for Crete and Egypt to bring back salt, endemic spices and olive oil.
2023-09-09 07:04:16
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