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) |
 |
 |
 |
