LIFE ON BOARD
A typical day
The days have a distinct rhythm.
Nighttime is an orchestrated drift, sometimes heading off in the wrong direction…
Moreover, on the Indian Ocean, Raphaëla needs to travel as fast as possible. Each window of opportunity has to be exploited to the fullest while keeping risks under control, especially those that creep in under cover of fatigue.
Squalls :
«A squall is never good. Once or twice at night, I’ve seen the GPS
go wild, indicating a drift of more than 4 knots, sometimes with the board heeling
at an impressive angle. During the day, it’s really a sort of battle between
each squall and me.
Whew, that one went by without causing too much damage. I was able to hold onto
my sail in the rain, sitting down, straining with the effort, but I held fast
and we hurtled in the right direction. The next instant, the sky and the sea
are smiling again and I have time to recover, But the respite is short-lived.
Already, the next treacherous squall has hit, and this time I capitulate. It
forces me to let go of everything in order not to be carried off in a dizzying
fall. Huddled under the protection of my bubble, with the rain pounding down,
I contemplate this suddenly nightmarish sea.» (Excerpt
from "L'Odyssée du vent au cœur du Pacifique")
After the wake-up call, a navigation check and telephone link-up (it's night-time in France).
Then, the right sail has to be readied and rigged which takes close to an hour's worth of work.
During the day, the windsurfer alternates an hour and a half to two hours of sailing with 15 minutes on the average of rest, to stretch and eat.
In the evening the sail has to be taken in and stowed for the night, personal needs require attention; there's the telephone transmission with Course HQ (mid-day Paris time) to assure, then a little reading, listening to music, and finally going to sleep.
Raphaëla generally sleeps between 6 and 7 hours a night, but awakens on her own several times to check the horizon.
Nutrition
Raphaëla expends a considerable amount of energy; for that reason, she
must take care to
have a balanced diet each day.
Her daily nutritional intake is based on 6 to 7 hours of sailing each day,
or an energy requirement of 3,300 Kcal/day, broken down as follows:
- breakfast 890 Kcal
- lunch 700 Kcal
- dinner 750 Kcal
- 2 to 3 snacks providing another 950 Kcal
In practice, that is the schedule for a typical day.
Energy is supplied by complex carbohydrates found in dishes with pasta, rice,
and potatoes, and by simple carbohydrates found in sweets and olive oil. The
most interesting energy comes from complex carbohydrates which are consumed
slowly and provide energy for long exertions.
Hydration is also very important. We know that we need 1 ml (0.03 ounces)
of water per Kcal of food that we eat. But we lose water through perspiration,
especially when it's hot. So, we need to drink a lot to compensate, if not
the body is exposed to such problems as fatigue, an overall drop in performance,
and tendonitis.
Raphaëla's diet has been developed and is monitored by Dr. Hélène
Chevreuil who has followed the sailboarder for several years.
Leisure
Raphaëla's days are carefully programmed and well-filled; but she allows herself some time for relaxation, especially in the evening just before going to sleep. Despite space limitations on board, her baggage includes some books she has brought along, and of course some music, essential for relaxation…
No two days are alike
The days follow, one after the other, but no two days are alike…
A day without
wind doesn't go as
quickly as one in full sail. Calm days are spent on equipment maintenance
and repair, or even – if the urge is felt – giving the hull a
good scrubbing.