Miranda, how do you feel about the current Vendée Globe after taking part in the last edition? Do you regret not taking part?

I am watching closely as I know most of the competitors, and it is also a good way to study the weather on a daily basis.

I would have loved to do another Vendée Globe, but I am lucky to have competed once, and especially to have made it all the way to the finish line!

How do you feel about your move from ocean racer to race director, a move you have been making for the past 2 years, in particular by joining the teams for the Transat Jacques Vabre and The Transat CIC?

More than 20 years ago when Sylvie Viant was Race Director on the Route du Rhum, my first ever solo race, I thought that I might like to be like her when I grew up…!

It is thanks to Francis Le Goff and his team (which included Sylvie) that I got to discover this interesting profession from the inside, firstly on the 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre, and then The Transat CIC in 2024. My ‘training’ continued under Christophe Gaumont’s leadership on the Normandy Channel Race in September. My years of offshore racing are an asset, enabling me to imagine how things are at sea, especially when there is a problem on board.

As part of this development, you’re due to take over as race director for the next CIC NORMANDY CHANNEL RACE. How do you feel about this?

I am looking forward to it, even if I am a little apprehensive. A bit like the first day at school. Fortunately, I have a good teacher in the form of Christophe Gaumont!

What makes a good race director for you?

The person you want to call when things are not going well.

How do you feel about the Globe40 course, which is quite different from a Vendée Globe course? Are there any stages you’re already familiar with, or others where this will be a first for you?

The course is interesting. I am familiar with quite a bit of it, but I don’t know the part up to Reunion, nor have I sailed as far north as Valparaiso. After our dismasting near Point Nemo in the middle of the Pacific Ocean during our Jules Verne Trophy attempt on Royal SunAlliance we sailed under jury rig to Puerto Montt 1000 kilometres south of there.

In November, you took part in the first meeting by video of all the projects that had been entered or made progress – what was your view of the skippers after the meeting?

There is a lot of enthusiasm and energy.

You’ve had the opportunity to prepare Class40s for major transatlantic or oceanic races and even round the world races (with Josh Hall). What are the points you need to focus on the most and prepare yourself technically?

Reliability, reliability, reliability. Know your boat inside out. Thoroughly test the boat and crew in all conditions in order to embark on a round the world race with confidence.

How do you see the evolution of Class40s over the last few years, between pointus and scows? On the scale of a round the world race, how do you see the relationship between the 2 categories, and the strengths and weaknesses of each?

It depends on the conditions and each team’s ability to get the most out of their boat. It will be interesting to see how scows and sharps perform on what is not a ‘classic’ course. In some conditions, the scows will be quicker, and in others, the sharps should hold their own. In terms of onboard comfort, the sharps win hands down, I think.

How do you imagine the state of mind of the skippers preparing for the great adventure of their lives, for you who have already experienced the Southern Ocean 4 times?

Excited about the adventure of a lifetime!