By Alan Roura, nine days before Christmas. The Swiss is in 16th place among the 22 remaining skippers in the race, expects a strong storm and writes a poetic love letter from the Southern Ocean, which is at the same time a declaration of love to his beloved friend at home and the Vendée Globe:
Vendée skipper Alan Rour (Switzerland)
It's December 13th. A date like any other for you. But not for me. Today I will let my heart speak and perhaps speak a little less about the sea and the storm that are raging around us.
Alan Rouras "LFabrique"
On the same date three years ago, I just entered Pointe-à-Pitre after crossing the finish line of the 2013 Mini-Transat. A love affair started for me there. I know that many people read my words from board and follow my course with great interest. We are alone on the water, far from the world, and we have time to ask the right questions. About our longings, about our lives and the way we run the boat. And also about who we want to share all of this with.
Focused Confederate: Alan Roura
Is he talking to her? Vendée skipper Alan Rour (Switzerland) happy
I wasn't always good to her, not the most attentive, nor the most respectful. I didn't know how to behave like a man in many situations. But since it was cast - as it has been every day for three years now - it has been in my head. I love it like the first day I met her. She was there in good and bad moments, knew how to support me in my projects, but also in case of setbacks. The fact that I can be here in the south today, ready to face a pretty storm, is mainly thanks to the woman who managed to manage such a project. And manage me. Because she knows how to make a difference between our work and our relationship. There is not a day that I do not think about her. That motivates me to sail faster, navigate as cleanly as possible and get back to her faster. I want us to grow together, so that every day we share is a new adventure.
Cold surroundings, hot heart: Vendée skipper Alan Roura
There is your wisdom that goes like this: "Behind every great man there is a woman." I am not a big man. I am learning to be one. One thing is certain: Without all of this, I wouldn't be the man I am today. I wanted to tell you about this person because a solo sailor thinks a lot, sometimes gets into difficult situations and often comes to the point of asking questions about the future of life. I don't know if sea sailing will find a continuation for me. It won't depend on me alone. But what is safe and well-considered: I cannot imagine a day in my life without her, I want to have everything together. And I want the whole world to know. I'm sad that I can't be close to her today, but my place is here.
With a red hat as if ready for Christmas: Alan Rourauf "LFabrique"
The next storm is approaching …
She already knew me from the water with a beard when my first dream was just becoming tangible. And here I am now at my greatest challenge! Taking part in a Vendée Globe is not just about sailing an ocean race. Morally it gets tougher every day: You are more tired, far away from the people you love, in the cold. Your body begins to realize that you are abusing it more every day. But I know that I have changed here. When I return, I won't be the same anymore.
I'll be a man, a real one. And I've found my answers here that I might never have discovered on land. I know my words don't sound like a normal message from shipboard. But I just had to write what's on my mind. I had to tell the world that I love this girl and that I won't let anything separate us. And if I change myself well here, then I'll still be myself. Today I wanted to talk to you about love. Realizing a dream is absolutely magical. But it's even better when you can share it with someone. By writing all of this, you may understand my story better. And also that the Vendée is not just a race. It is a school of life that allows us to grow very quickly.
P. S.: The name of the woman whom the youngest current Vendée skipper Alan Rourso loves at the age of 23 is Aurélia. Film buffs may think of the British love Christmas film "Love Actually". AureliMouraud is Alan's queen of hearts, project manager and press officer.
The poet can also be cheerful: Alan Roura has fun at sea