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Welcome To Blind Sailing International
French Blind Sailor Attempts Record Breaking Ocean Journey
Olivier Brisse a well known competitor with Blind Sailing International is to attempt an Ocean Journey while attempting to gain a race record
Olivier Brisse is blind man, David Viguier is an amputee, Grégory Dunesme is paraplegic. Saturday September 4, all the three will spring on board a yacht of 50 feet, direction Mauritius Their objective: to be the first mixed crew to hold a oceanic record, in fact that which one calls the Odyssey of Spice. Olivier Brisse answered some questions before embarking.
What is your frame of mind within a few days of the departure?
There is all a little pressure, but one is impatient to leave. Hoping that there will be no problem with the weather!
One is at the point on the level of the drives, I controls the boat well, in short: I am ready!
A made up crew with half of able and half handicapped people, to traverse 9,000 miles between France and Mauritius, while passing by the Cape of Good Hope, on a sailing ship of 50 feet, what does that represent for you?
For me, it is a dream of kid that is fulfilled… Since very small, I thought in the place of these large navigators who leave for sea prepare them for long adventures. Today, it is my turn to leave for a great crossing…
My first challenge, it is of going until the end. But one wants to also show in the world which it is mistaken by thinking that the handicapped people are condemned to remain separately. If we are able to integrate us in a mixed crew, it is that we can be integrated everywhere. The handicap can be an asset! And the company, in particular, have everything to gain to integrate the difference.
What is the allocation of the functions between valid and handicapped on board?
There is not! Nobody has of defined station, one occupies each one our tower of the bar, of the operations… Everyone takes part in an equal way to advance the boat. We hold to this absolutely.
As a blind man, how do you sail?
My hearing is useful to me much, but there is also the feeling of the wind on my face, the movements of the boat which I feel in the buttocks… I have a large memory working to know the boat and the gestures to be achieved It has equipment specific to edge to help you to be autonomous? Yes, because we wanted to be most the autonomous possible and to be able to intervene as easily and quickly as our valid fellow-members. For example, an electric walk-elevator makes it possible Grégory [paraplegic] to go down in the cabin, and we have a system of handrails to move us inside the boat, or seats adapted.
How long do you hope to arrive at the Island-Maurice?
The duration of the crossing is estimated at 60 days. To pass the finishing line at the end of 55 days, it would be formidable!
leparisien.fr
Full Detalis (In French) can be seen on the following links