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Only 800 miles from the finish, the race may still hold some surprises, as Alexia Barrier has had the opportunity to experience.
With courage, Alexia Barrier continues her journey to Les Sables d’Olonne. Injured for six days now, the Azuréenne is giving her all to cross the finish line as quickly as possible. However, her old boat, participating for the sixth time, is once again showing signs of fatigue. “The night was pretty cool until once again the end holding the hydrogenerator at its lower part broke again,” she laments, as this part has already undergone several repairs since the start. “I really have nothing else to produce energy, so it’s really important for me that it works.”
As a result, there is no choice but to attempt yet another makeshift repair. Except this time, the skipper had to contend with a stubborn back. Despite winds blowing over 25 knots with large waves, the Maralpine attempted, after informing her team, to repair it by getting in the water as she did the first time. An idea she logically abandoned after a few minutes given the difficulty of simply moving around the boat despite the treatment provided by the race doctor. After an hour of reflection, Alexia finally found a way, using a “messenger” (a rope) and a “cat” (a rod), to once again hold her only energy source on board.
A relief for the navigator who proudly represents the Alpes-Maritimes across all the oceans of the world: “You can’t imagine how happy I am. Now there are gusts up to 30 knots which allow me to move a bit faster towards Cape Finisterre, and I hope not to spend too long at the tack.” By continuing to follow the most direct route, Alexia Barrier sailed yesterday at about 12 knots on average over the day, covering nearly 300 miles.
Take heart; the ordeal of recent days is coming to an end!
