Hervé Favre website for the 2001 mini-transat

 

 

 

Saturday 29th september 2001


Today, Hervé climbed from the 7th up to the 5th place. His position, at the West of the others boats, seems to be working. We look forward to have his own impression of the race because it is difficult to imagine what his state of minds is at this moment. Anyway, our cross-country skier his doing great!

He should not have any problems with the food. It is difficult to make some previsions but the first protos will come around monday and tuesday. Hervé took with him 10 days of food. With some last minute gifts (such as foie gras) he should be all right.

It has been one week since the minis left La Rochelle. As you imagine, some fans made the trip there, and amongst them some friends/collegues from Lombard Odier. You will find hereunder a story written by Carolyn Brady, which was avaiable on the intranet of the Bank. There is alsom some nice pictures. A french version (different) as been written by Nicole Ettinger.

La Rochelle.

At 11.15 am on Saturday, 22 september 2001, Hervé left the Port de Minimes to start his voyage single handed accros the Atlantic.

There was lots of Brasilian music and announcements as he went sailing of to the start point which was 9 miles away.  

As you can imagine, all his family were there waving their only son/ brother of on this amazing trip. It was really quite emotional. Hervé was calm, much calmer than us !


Muriel, his wife, was alowed to stay on the boat with him because the race actually started at 3.33PM. He had to leave the port early because of the tides/currents which meant lengthy wait at sea – but he was not alone !

Hervé was accompanied by a Zodiac, dingy boat, whith 2 Geneva colleagues (Nicole Ettinger and Natacha Polli), one London collegue (Carolyn Brady and her daugnter !) and severals friends. For me, it was a first ( and probably the last based on the bruises I know have !!) but he was great to be with Hervé in the last few « sane » hours.
Once out of the Port, we made our way to the start line. It took about 1.5 hours but we made it ! Hervé took the sails down and we tied the dingy to his boat. Then we enjoyed lunch or at least Hervé did because he was given a pizza before he set of from Port de Minimes. One of Hervé’s friends took the opportunity to empty the boat of water-our feets were quite wet at this point !
Time flies when you are havin fun and at last ( !!!) it was time to put the sails back up and get ready for the start of the race.
Muriel transferred onto our boat and we went searching for the rest of Hervé’s family who travelled out on a ferry. We led Hervé to the right ferry and so his parents, sisters, Robin, his son (his daughter, Julie was asleep) severals friends and Jean-Claude and Barbara Rammel who had also made the trip. Every one was waving madely and taking photos of Hervé and a mads friends in the dingy who were following him very closely.

Of we went to the start line, we waited in front of the start line, heard the gun and then it was all go. The boats had to make their way back to port and the round a buoy to sail out to sea. Conditions were great, the sun was out and it was windy

.Although Hervé didn’t make a good start, he soon caught up as he rounded the buoy and made his way out to sea with lots of farewells from the mad people accompaniyng him in the Zodia dinghy boat. I don’t think I ever been so glad to see land as I was when we finally made it back to port. After experiencing 6.5 ours on such a small boat, I really don’t envy Hervé his trip, firstly down to Lanzarote and the onto Brazil. Hervé assured me that the first leg was the worst and that the trip to Brazil easier. Somehow, I don’t think so.
Anyway he is off now. It’s now our turn to raise money for Children Action. So hurry up and buy miles !

Hervé preparing his route and giving the last instructions Some of his family With Nicole Ettinger giving him a Lombard Odier sticker (Have a good sailing Hervé)