Yesterday, Alexia Barrier took advantage of a life-saving calm to speak with Charles-Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Council.
After spending a very complicated 48 hours in the Indian Ocean south of Madagascar, near the Kerguelen Islands, Alexia Barrier is experiencing less chaotic conditions. This allowed her to have a ten-minute conversation with Charles-Ange Ginésy. “I have just faced a very violent tropical depression, but my boat and I are unharmed. Here, I am beginning to get used to the conditions, although they are very difficult. It is almost dark all the time, the waves are very impressive. This Great South is frightening, but it is also magnificent. I realize how lucky I am to be here, to be a guest in a place where there are no humans.” It was also time to discuss the “Green Deal 06” aspect, one of the reasons for her commitment and that of the department in this Vendée Globe: “I am also very happy to have successfully released the Argos beacon and a Profiler. It was a goal that was close to my heart.”
This is a commitment that excites the department president, who reaffirmed all his support for Alexia: “Through your commitment to protecting the environment, you are a tremendous Green Deal ambassador, and I thank you for it. The values you convey are very important nowadays, and we share them. I want to reaffirm my support and express my admiration to you, on behalf of all the elected officials of the Departmental Council I represent. We wish you to show tenacity in this exceptional solo race around the globe and to gather as much environmental data as possible. You can rest assured, Alexia, that the Department of Alpes-Maritimes is very proud to participate alongside you in this ‘Everest of the Seas.’ This year, you will spend the holidays a little differently, far from your loved ones but so close to your dream. All our thoughts are with you!”
For the Christmas holidays, the Maralpine should be off the coast of Cape Leeuwin, a little over 3,800 nautical miles away, which is one of the three capes to be crossed to validate her first solo circumnavigation.
