A milky sky, a calm sea - and a deceptive lull before the fight

Between 12:00 and 16:30, the program was clear: a one-mile straight-line sprint, repeated runs, and a single obsession—clocking the fastest time. Simple on paper, far less so at sea, as the wind took its time to arrive before settling timidly at around 10–12 knots.

Chasing every breath of wind

With sleek machines lined up and sailors ready to hit the accelerator, there was just one missing ingredient: enough wind to fill the sails. In an indecisive south-southwesterly flow, the IMOCA crews had to adapt, adjust, and wait. It became an exercise in precision—feeling the shift before it even appeared, repositioning, and launching at exactly the right moment.

In this game, Sam Goodchild, at the helm of MACIF Santé Prévoyance, set the fastest time of the day with an average speed of 23.68 knots, also earning his weight in Pom’Potes. Behind him, Initiatives Cœur, skippered by Violette Dorange (21.3 knots), and MACSF, with Corentin Horeau (21.05 knots), completed the podium with razor-thin margins.

In such light conditions, nothing was guaranteed. Crews had to constantly start over—stay alert, relaunch, fine-tune, and seize every opportunity. Each team attempted up to five or six runs, refining their trajectory each time to catch the perfect window. It was a true test of patience, where timing made all the difference and success depended on well-executed sequences.

© F. Van Malleghem Photographe

Total immersion on board

Then there were those experiencing it from the inside. Guests on board discovered another side of performance, right at the heart of the maneuvers and sensations. Sailing an IMOCA is not just about moving forward - it’s about feeling every variation, every acceleration, every gust sweeping across the deck.

It was a suspended moment between tension and wonder, highlighting the uniqueness of these machines and those who sail them. A perfect introduction before the main event.

The Défi Pom’Potes delivered its verdict, though it does not count toward the overall standings. Still, momentum is building. As early as tomorrow, skippers will move on to the final briefing and last preparations ahead of the race start, scheduled for Sunday, May 3 at 12:00 in the Bay of La Forêt.

At this stage, race management is still favoring a north-south course, with the fleet first heading to round the legendary Fastnet Lighthouse, southwest of Ireland—pending confirmation tomorrow morning. Until then, crews continue fine-tuning every detail. The Défi provided benchmarks, but the real story is yet to be written.

© F. Van Malleghem Photographe

They Said

Sam Goodchild, skipper of MACIF Santé Prévoyance:
“There was actually a bit more wind than expected, especially toward the end, which made things really interesting. We managed a run with the smaller headsail and clearly it was faster, so we’re happy. It was a great day—we averaged over 20 knots, and everyone came back ashore smiling. Between the sunshine, flat seas, and conditions that allowed us to foil, it was really enjoyable. It definitely builds momentum. That’s not the main goal, but it’s always positive. At the Course des Caps – Banque Populaire du Nord, we won this kind of challenge before going on to win the main race, and it was the same at the Défi Azimut. So if it’s a good omen, I’ll take it!”

Violette Dorange, skipper of Initiatives Cœur:
“We didn’t expect that much wind, so it was a great surprise. In the end, we had a bit of everything—calm phases, which are useful for showing partners around the boat and letting them see the inside, and then wind to experience foiling sensations. The conditions were really ideal. It also gave us a proper rehearsal before the start: setting every sail, checking everything works, chaining maneuvers together… Even timings and launch sequences—those extra details matter. It helps us approach the start more relaxed just two days out. And it’s great to see that everyone coming off the boat is smiling. That really helps set the tone heading into the race.”

Corentin Horeau, skipper of MACSF:
“It was perfect. On every run, we thought there might not be enough wind… and in the end, everyone finished with a smile. Guests got to helm and feel the sensations—that’s fantastic. We managed a run over 20 knots, which puts us in a good position. There wasn’t much wind, around 10 to 12 knots, maybe a gust at 13. To exceed 20 knots, you really had to get the boat foiling. It took us a bit of time, but once we got going, it really took off—and that was incredible. Depending on the run, there could be big differences, so a bit of luck was needed too. At one point, we made our own opportunity, created space, and hit the perfect timing for our best run.”

Pascal Colas, CEO of Materne France:
“This Défi Pom’Potes once again lived up to all its promises. Beyond pure performance, it was a true human adventure, with conditions that required finesse, intelligence, and teamwork. Seeing these skippers extract the best from their IMOCA despite hesitant winds perfectly reflects the values we uphold at Materne: commitment, perseverance, and collective spirit. The guests on board were able to experience firsthand the demands of this sport, as well as the sailors’ generosity in sharing their passion. That’s exactly what gives meaning to our presence here: creating connections, sparking strong emotions, and anchoring Pom’Potes in authentic and inspiring moments.”

Défi Pom’Potes Standings

MACIF Santé Prévoyance — 23.68 knots
Initiatives Cœur — 21.3 knots
MACSF — 21.05 knots
11th Hour Racing — 20.57 knots
APRIL Marine – Recherche-co Partenaires — 19.15 knots
Association Petits Princes – Quéguiner — 18.95 knots
Café Joyeux — 15.79 knots