Friday 03/06 D-2 :
We all arrived on Friday afternoon, June 3rd, after a very early departure from Seignosse by minibus. Why not by plane? Because we had all our equipment and food for 15 days of crossing, as well as the transport of the boards, the medical and safety equipment… We warmly thank the Town Hall of Labenne for the loan of our minibus which helped us enormously.
As soon as we arrived, we left our families and welcomed the BFM TV team for a report. Hop, everyone in a suit, unpack our sublime 15 feet DEEP and first test on the water with the support of the Yacht Club of Monaco.
First sensations of impressive glide and the opportunity for Manue to get back on a board 2 months after her delivery. And yes… If you want to know more about them, go to our article “presentation of our waterwomen”.
The evening ended at our hotel, all together or almost because Elodie our osteopath, Patrick our doctor and Itziar our waterwoman had a lot of difficulties to go to Monaco because of flight delays…
Saturday 04/05 D-1 :
Hop hop hop, up early to the beach of the Golfe Bleu at about 5 kms from Monaco for the realization of a photo shooting and pictures taken by Jérémie Gabrien, our photographer-camera man throughout this crossing!
Sublime setting, perfect weather, a splash and here we are all heading back to the Yacht Club of Monaco to discover our assistance catamaran, for some of us to introduce ourselves to our skipper Elohim and the owner of the boat Alain. True adventurers with whom we are eager to learn more about the gems of open sea navigation.
On the program, preparation of the whole boat, stowage of food and all the equipment necessary for the crossing and the safety of everyone. Stickering of the boat to highlight our partners without whom all this would not be possible. Thanks to them!
Stéphanie Barneix, waterwoman and creator of the association HOPE TEAM EAST, holder of the CAP OPTIMIST project, was also Race Director this weekend for the Riviera Water Bike Challenge. A charity race for the benefit of the children of the Charlene de Monaco Foundation which took place the next morning. All our families, staff and waterwomen were mobilized on this event, so we attended the briefing of volunteers presented by Stephanie.
After that, pizza party on the catamaran for our last evening all together, the opportunity to have a general briefing before our departure on Sunday 05/06 at 2:30 pm, reading of maps, presentation of the weather by Elohim, distribution of the rooms and still a little bit of tidying up to optimize the space at the maximum!
Sunday 05/06 D-DAY !
Late night, early morning for the Riviera Water Bike Challenge. The concept? For a good cause, well-known international athletes are invited to participate in a water bike race in a relay format. The competition was located at the Solarium of Monaco, incredible setting and spectacular organization. Congratulations to the organizers of the Charlene de Monaco Foundation for this beautiful event!
13h30 back to the catamaran in a hurry to finish the last preparations, cleaning, sweeping … 🙂
We are one hour before the launch of this crazy expedition and the tension starts to rise.
14h10 After a boost for everyone, there was a lull on the boat, and the families began to separate and say goodbye. Emotional moment x 1000 ! The separations are hard between Alex and Charline his daughter, Margot with the presence of her mom, Itziar also, Manue with Lucie aged only 2 months, Marie with her dad and her mom and of course Stephanie with Antton and his family.
14h20 Our godfather, H.S.H. Prince Albert II did us the honor to come with his two children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella for a time of exchanges and hugs with the waterwomen. This was followed by a blessing with the feet in the water, a suspended moment, looking towards the families. Moments engraved in our memories.
14h40 Following discussions with H.S.H. Prince Albert II we have, by drawing lots, elected Stephanie as the first waterwoman to inaugurate this departure. Under the gaze of her son Antton, tears flow but Stephanie’s smile is captivating.
That’s how we launched this test expedition 2 Monaco – Athens. We will give you regular news if our 4G box allows it. We can’t stop thanking you all for the tons of messages of support. It is wonderful and it pushes all of us, waterwomen and volunteers alike, to continue to surpass ourselves.