Cap Istanbul 2008

"We were sailing along quite gently in 20 to 25 knots of wind. I was preparing the boat in view of the strengthening wind. All of a sudden, there was a gust of 45 knots. The boat broached in the water. I fell overboard but I hung onto a warp. I was underwater. The spinnaker filled and I had to let go.

I ended up in 2 metre waves under the cover of darkness. I stripped off as I waited for the rescue services. I swallowed a lot of sea water and was attacked by jellyfish. As the alert had been given (flairs set off by the organisation), I was confident.

After two hours in the water though it was hard. I had a burst of desire to live. When I saw Paul Meilhat's boat, I swam faster than Manaudou. I was exhausted, gutted and I wanted to cry. But I said to myself that I didn't have the right to leave my family like that.

The solidarity of sailors is extraordinary. They did everything they could for me. They saved my life.

When I found myself aboard Paul's boat, I had the sensation that I was still in the water. I was in a right state with all the sea water I'd swallowed. I was sick.

It makes me think about how I tackle races. You should constantly wear a small personal beacon. The catastrophe happened so quickly. It's over now but I dare not think about what would have happened if I'd been one of the backrunners. I thank the organisation for having reacted so quickly and above all my fellow racers, particularly Gerald Véniard who climbed aboard my boat to see my tracking on MaxSea. He was very professional, he saved my life.

I now want the préparateurs to deliver my boat as far as Istanbul. I think that my sponsor will understand that I'm not finishing the race. On the other hand, I want to round off the project and see my boat in Istanbul. I'm here and that's that. Thank you again to those who saved my life."

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