Thursday, December 4 – Cape Verde, confidence, and letting go
What better way to discover the fourth night of The Famous Project CIC crew than through Alexia Barrier.
“Last night, we spent long hours sailing at over 30 knots. The boat was hitting the waves with such force that, in your bunk, your whole body would lift off the ground at times. It’s a wake-up call! And it can be a little scary, especially when you don’t have the data in front of you to understand exactly what’s going on outside.
That’s when letting go becomes a real sport. Trusting the boat. Trusting those on deck. Telling yourself that everything is under control, even when you can’t see anything. Dee and I work together perfectly. We complement each other. When one of us is on deck and feels she needs an extra pair of eyes, an extra hand, some support… we never hesitate to wake the other up. Knowing that we can count on each other, at any time of the night.
That’s what a crew is all about.
Then the sea slowly calmed down. And at dawn, the huge silhouettes of the Cape Verde islands came into view. I never tire of seeing these mountains rise up out of nowhere, like giants emerging from the ocean to greet passing sailors.
Cape Verde. Equator. Trade winds. Intertropical convergence zone. Just saying these words makes me realize that this is it: we’re really here. I’ve been dreaming about this for four years.
As we approached Cape Verde, the wind died down and the sea became almost calm. So we took advantage of this to make repairs. When you’re alone, it’s simple: you open the toolbox and get to work. But with a crew, in a record attempt, it’s different: you have to listen, delegate, coordinate, and validate each step. And we’re lucky to have our experts on shore, always ready to answer questions, analyze a photo, or guide us when in doubt. This chain is invaluable. It makes us stronger.
Cape Verde is behind us. Ahead lies the equator… and the Doldrums, with its squalls, storms, and traps. We still have a few hours of respite. So we’re making the most of it: downwind, the boat glides along, even without the sun.
And it’s magnificent.”
Article by The Famous Project CIC
Follow the adventure on IDEC SPORT social media and via the comprehensive map =>> https://trimaran-idec.geovoile.com/julesverne/2025/viewer/
