The summer holidays have not finished for Miranda Merron as to be honest they never began! Following the arrival of the IMOCA 60 Campagne de France Miranda and Halvard have been busy optimising, training and racing with all things pointed towards competing in the 2020 Vendée Globe!
The Rolex Fastnet Race started on August 3rd. The fleet of 20 IMOCAs left the Solent in near perfect conditions. Miranda, Halvard and Campagne de France placed 15th out of 20 competitors gaining the all-important qualification miles for the Vendee Globe whilst also gaining valuable time onboard their new boat.
“I don’t know if the boat is going fast but she’s certainly beautiful to look at,” says Miranda. “This is the ideal yacht for a first Vendée Globe. It is forgotten all to often, but a solo race around the world, without stop overs and without assistance, is an exceptional adventure, a challenge that will never be trivialised. We’re preparing, always aware of the opportunity given to us by our partner Campagne de France. The boat is theirs, it carries their colours and their values, values that align perfectly with our own. Few women have completed the Vendée Globe, 6 I believe, among which no less than three are British, and not least Ellen Mc Arthur (2nd in 2001), Dee Caffari (6th in 2009) and Sam Davies (4th in 2009). This is not only motivation but my inspiration too. With Halvard, we are doing everything in our power to be starting in the autumn of 2020. Finishing this race would be the significant achievement in my career to date.”
“The Vendée Globe is a colossal project for the scale of our small team. It is a commitment of every moment and it takes energy without providing time for rest. Being at the start, in Les Sables d’Olonne, in 2020 is the price and we accept that with good grace.
Campagne de France continues to prepare in Cherbourg with a number of days on the water planned for September. “There is still a lot of work to do on board, especially with our onboard electronic and communication systems. We are also still waiting on some sails but beyond that we’ll be ready for the Transat Jacques Vabre departing Le Havre on October 27th.”
