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The Journey of Atanahoué: 50 Shades Lighter

The Journey of Atanahoué: 50 Shades Lighter

eric-bellion-and-grace
Sailing means being overwhelmed by intense and contrary emotions. As Eric Bellion confided to us during his participation in the Vendée Globe, "I have never been so scared in my life, I have never suffered so much in my life, I have never taken so much pleasure in my life.
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Chapter 2 - 50 Shades of the Sea

Today, let's open the second chapter of our story; let's give it color and nuance.

What is the greatest joy you have experienced at sea? What vision marks your life as a sailor today? Help us write the next part of Atanahoué's Voyage by answering the question!

Story of the day: Eric Bellion, the state of grace

In 2016, Eric Bellion took the start of the Vendée Globe and embarked on his first solo round-the-world race.

During 99 days of racing, he found himself alone against the elements and himself: when he left the channel in Les Sables d'Olonne, cheered by 350,000 people, it took this amateur sailor five days to come out of his torpor and the feeling of anxiety that invaded him. Then came the storm: the Atlantic crossing proved to be catastrophic, the wind and the waves raged, he lost his rudder and fell in the rankings...

As the idea of abandoning the race began to germinate in his mind, Eric Bellion made three major decisions: turn off his onboard computer (to refocus on himself and not the competitors), turn off his alarm (to listen to his body and his instincts) and trust his boat ...

This is how, in the Southern Ocean, for Eric Bellion, the competition takes a completely different turn. He enters in total communion with his boat, they form a real team where a perfect harmony reigns: 

"The two of us become an amazing team, I let him guide us."

Eric Bellion

His most beautiful vision of the sea? A rare moonrise in the middle of the Southern Ocean, setting the sky on fire.

"When I witnessed this scene, I immediately thought that all the money in the world would not be enough to make me trade my place for someone else's"

Eric Bellion

And you, what was your most beautiful vision at sea? 

➡️ I answer the question by clicking here!

To go further

📺 TO SEE:

"Comme Un Seul Homme" by Eric Bellion (2018) available on VOD here

🎧 LISTEN:

"The keys to the state of grace" by Eric Bellion, TEDxMarseille available here

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