"We all needed a bit of morale reconstruction after our first, aborted, attempt.

The experience of trying was a rich one as far as information for the team goes, very beneficial, but leaving a bitter after-taste all the same, to have ‘failed’ so close to the finish point at Ouessant.

Manu is taking a couple of days to reflect on the possibility of another attempt in the next few days. For him, with all the responsibility of main organiser on his shoulders, it’s important to be able to release the pressure a bit before taking another view of the overall objectives.

The difficulty of this one is that you’ve got to take a best guess based on numerous factors on Day J itself, all underpinned by some very tricky weather forecasting. That means having superb marine sense, plus a good understanding with all the people you’ve got to try and co-ordinate in order to steer the whole thing towards your objectives. It’s very much like running a business employing 40 people every day during and around the actual execution of the challenge. That’s a big job in itself.

For my part, I’ve been off for a head-clearing session with my team mates Marc and Seb on the Crozon peninsula, here in Brittany. We came up here together for a bit of away from it all ATB and kiting while we wait for news…"

Christo