Sébastien Simon: My ultimate dream remains to win the race
by Vendée Globe media 17 Jan 07:44 PST
17 January 2025
Sébastien Simon (FRA) is being interviewed by media after taking 3rd place in the Vendée Globe, on January 17, in Les Sables d'Olonne, France © Jean-Marie Liot / Alea
Vendée Globe: What did you feel when you arrived?
Sébastien Simon: "The welcome was extraordinary, despite the freezing cold. It was an incredible moment, and I will retain such unforgettable memories of it. Everything went by so quickly that I feel like I left yesterday. It's crazy how we forget the difficult challenges, and of course there were some of them. But I fought until the end. This project, launched only a year and a half ago with Groupe Dubreuil, has exceeded all our expectations. Their support has been exceptional. In a year and a half, we have built a remarkable team. Finishing the Vendée Globe was already an achievement, but getting a podium after having been race leader several times is extraordinary. Paul-Henri Dubreuil has confirmed his support for the next edition, and I am deeply touched by this confidence."
Vendée Globe: What did you feel when going up the channel?
Sébastien Simon: "It was a unique moment, a whirlwind of emotions. I am normally quite shy but this was pure happiness. I only have one desire: to come back in four years to relive these magical moments. The start was incredible In itself, but this finish is a magnificent reward. We are bringing back a magnificent boat, even with one foil missing. This third place belongs to the whole team, to my partners, and to those who supported me in difficult times. I am incredibly proud of this journey."
Vendée Globe: What were you thinking?
Sébastien Simon: "I am someone who anticipates a lot, who is always looking to go forwards sometimes too much. But at this exact moment, I just want to enjoy the present, this incredible moment. Of course, I would have liked to have produced an even more perfect race but a third place in the Vendée Globe... Who would have believed it? I will come back in four years with even more ambitious goals. Finishing was a dream, but my ultimate dream remains to win this race."
Vendée Globe: Apart from the breakage of your port foil, any other damage?
Sébastien Simon: "Yes, I also lost the keel nose cone and the capping round the keel box in the Pacific, which can be critical because it puts the keel well under pressure. In the Indian Ocean, one of my diesel tanks emptied onto four of my six food bags. My entire reserve was contaminated. Fortunately, I was able to recover the fuel, but managing degraded nutrition was a real mental challenge. Despite everything, it is for these events that I am doing the Vendée Globe. This race has kept all its promises and made me stronger. This third place is the reward."
Vendée Globe: Do you think the Vendée Globe is a race round the world in real regatta mode?
Sébastien Simon: "Absolutely. Until my foil broke, the pace was hellish. I would have liked to keep up this pace until the finish, but circumstances decided otherwise. Despite this, I managed to keep a place in the Top 5, then get on the podium. This edition has reached a level of competition never seen before. In four years, it will probably be even more intense. The teams prepare incredibly well, and the Vendée Globe is now a real race to the top."
Vendée Globe: We have the feeling that you gave it your all until the end, even when you were assured of your place. True?
Sébastien Simon: "What drives me is sport and surpassing myself without regrets. I kept pushing, even when every mile counted, near the Raz de Sein. I had nothing left to gain, but everything to lose. The isolation allowed me to release some pressure and recover, but until the end, I gave it my all. "
Vendée Globe: Are your 24-hour record and the 65-day record beatable?
Sébastien Simon: "Of course, records are made to be broken. Boats are constantly improving, and in four years, they will be even faster. With an Atlantic descent like Armel Le Cléac'h's, we could have finished in 58 days! However, going fast does not make the race any easier. Maintaining such speeds is mentally and physically demanding. At 30 knots, the boat hits hard, and you have to stay focused. Charlie (Dalin) managed that brilliantly."
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