Rediscovery
“After the Suzuki Prologue, on the inshore course, I was a bit anxious. But on Thursday, at the leg start, I had a sense that I’d rediscovered something of my past racing form. Everything I did seemed to work. So I told myself, you have to stay in this rhythm, in this state of mind, and things will go well. And in fact I was up with the front-runners throughout.”

On getting back to competition
“I hope this win will help me to move on from the Vendée Globe episode ; I was always of a competitive nature before and I now I know I haven’t lost that, so I’m happy with that.”

Physically…
“I slept quite well during the first day and the last night when we wre going upwind, because the boat could drive itself. I allowed myself the luxury of sleep but I don’t regret it because even so I was shattered at the finish. From a physical point of view everything’s fine. I was careful when working at the bow because sea conditions were quite tough. I don’t have the same balance that I had before, I’m a bit more clumsy but I get there all the same.


Nicolas Lunven (CGPI), 2nd, 16 minutes 5 seconds behind the winner

Tough…
”This leg wasn’t easy ! Tiring from start to finish. No matter what the conditions, whether flat calm or 25 knots upwind or the last broad reach, you have to stay alert. Yann was already up at the front at Lorient, whereas I was pretty much at the back. He stayed up front throughout the race, while I had to fight for each place, one by one. He always stayed far enough in front”

The how and the why…
”I don’t yet have all the answers for this leg. Even having been out there on the water, it’s not that easy to understand. Quite a few few things came into play. Yesterday evening it was Charles Caudrelier-Benac’s group in front, further north of me ; I preferred to stay on the inside track, and it paid off. But knowing exactly how and why, where the big gains were made, isn’t simple at all. I think I was pretty quick though. That lets you get out of tricky situations ahead of your mates, and that’s what got me back in the game.”

Up with the big boys
”It’s my first time on the podium for a leg. Yann Eliès in front of me, Armel Le Cléac’h behind me. I kept asking myself what I was doing there… but happy to be there all the same ! I do feel at ease on the boat though, and with my choices and decisions, and with the boat speed; I’ve made progress in all aspects of the game. It’s very satisfying. I’ll try to carry on as I’ve begun.”


Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air), 3rd, 26 minutes 53 seconds behind the winner

Back from afar
”I’m very happy to finish third at Coruna, especially as during this first leg I was never really up with the front runners. I sailed my own race and everything depended on last night as the front came through. I sailed well, because I managed to overtake my friends around me and get back up with those in front. I went a bit out to the west and finished under spinnaker in strong breeze, and that paid off. I’m pleased too, to have finished not far behind Yann. That was my objective when we left Lorient, and I knew this leg was going to be a bit of a minefield.”

Satisfied
I’ve finished third, I’m on the podium. The last time I was on the podium was at St Gilles Croix de Vie in 2006, but back then the two in front were seven hours ahead! This is better. I’m in sync with the boat. It’s a good sign for the rest of the race. The intervals between boats are pretty negligible so it will almost be back to zero when we re-start next Tuesday for the next tussle.”


Paul Meilhat (Domino’s Pizza), 15th, and first in the Bénéteau ‘Rookies’ ranking, 58 minutes 12 seconds behind the winner

Tired but happy…
”I’m not on very good form because I didn’t get any sleep on the first night… nor the second ! I had some problems with the forestay which made sail changes difficult… so yes, I’m a bit tired. But I’m happy too, the leg has turned out well for me. I need to look at the tracks because I don’t fully understand what the others did. The route I took followed the strategy I’d decided at the start. I managed to carry out what I had intended to do on the water. On that count I’m happy. I finished 15th, just under an hour behind Yann… but what’s even better is that there’s only the top sailors around me. It’s encouraging to be able to keep up with them. It shows that I’m going well, especially in terms of speed. It’s very motivating for the next leg.”