Skipper's log: Miranda Merron (Britain), Campagne de France (IMOCA)

What are going to take away from the race?
Learnt a lot about the boat in lots of different conditions. Got a LONG job list
for the winter!!

You and Halvard said in Le Havre that it was hard starting knowing there was no
chance you could win, how did you deal with that mentally?
One of the most enjoyable races I have done. We raced as well as
possible, learning what works along the way, dealing with a number of
technical issues, sometimes late with sail changes but hindsight is a wonderful
thing.
However, since we knew we couldn't expect a "result", we raced without the
pressure of disappointment.

Has it meant you and Halvard have been more like a couple on board or have you
been pushing boat even harder as “crew”?
See above. NOT a cruise.

What did you learn about the boat for future campaigns? What percentage more
speed is there to come?
There is only so much we can do with what we have. We will make what improvements
we can if we have the budget. The aim is to have a thoroughly reliable boat
capable of finishing the Vendée Globe.

Is there anything you would do differently?
In the TJV? I think our course was pretty correct.
Technically - a number of things, but would need time and money.

What did you enjoy most about the race?
Much to my amazement, pretty much all of it. Including right now drifting along
in light airs not that many miles from the finish.
It would have been nice to finish in daylight, but as we can't do anything about
the lack of breeze, there's no point getting stressed about it!