Autissier’s views on Vendee Globe

by Courtesy Scuttlebutteurope on 13 Nov 2004 When it comes to Open 60 sailing few women are more revered than Isabelle Autissier, even if her career in round the world racing has been a chequered one.

Autissier competed in the 1996-7 Vendee Globe but was forced to retire to Cape Town with a broken rudder. Prior to this she competed in three BOC Challenges, finishing seventh in the 1989-90 race, winning the first leg in 1993-4 before dismasting, remasting and dismasting again on the second leg, and finally capsizing mid-Pacific in 1997-8 on which occasion she was valiantly rescued by Giovanni Soldini.

In the 1993-4 race Autissier's Open 60 was significant for being the first boat with a canting keel to compete in a round the world race. After her first and last attempt on the Vendee Globe aboard PRB she retired from single-handed Open 60 racing.

In Les Sables d'Olonne last week Autissier gave her thoughts on the present Vendee Globe:

thedailysail: How will this Vendee Globe differ from the last ones?

Isabelle Autisser: I wouldn't say it will be so different. It is always the same story: one person, the oceans, round the world. The boats have changed a lot since the beginning. Even from my PRB and then Michel's one and the new one, you can see the boats are more and more efficient and safe and of course quicker and quicker.

TDS: If you were going to do the Vendee Globe which boat would you take?

IA: I think Bilou's one [the new Sill et Veolia].

For me it is a good compromise between a powerful boat and an easy boat to manage. Mike's boat [Ecover] is wonderful, but it will be very difficult around the world. It requires you to be so precise. But I am confident with Mike - he made that choice himself.

Full interview at
http://www.thedailysail.com/ISM/articles.nsf/Interview/630522809BDF09BB80256F48002C755F?OpenDocument&Page=1