Martin Le Pape and Mathilde Géron (Tomorrow), 5th in the Transat Paprec!

This was one of the most anticipated duos of the race. On one side, the most experienced skipper in this race, competing for the fifth time. On the other, a light sailing specialist ready to give it her all. At the finish, the duo held their own, sometimes leading the way, sometimes chasing, but held on until they finished fifth.

THEIR RACE IN NUMBERS

Finish time: Friday, May 8 at 3:14 a.m. (local time), 9:14 a.m. (mainland time) Race time: 18 days, 20 hours, 12 min, 35 sec Gap to first: 55 min 41 sec Distance covered: 4,151.6 miles Average speed (real): 9.2 knots

THEIR RACE DECRYPTED. Tomorrow is far away

At 36 (Martin) and 39 (Mathilde), you don't set off on a transatlantic voyage without a touch of emotion. Martin spent a long time with his children in his arms on the day of departure. Mathilde too, who couldn't hold back her tears when her daughters asked him for one last kiss. The two thirty-odds set off on a mission, and they weren't planning on just being extras. Their duo, with Martin's experience and Mathilde's tenacity, was often cited as a favorite.

So from the start, Demain was on the right pace. A time leader in the Bay of Biscay and then off the Portuguese coast, the pair also moved ahead at La Palma by a handful of minutes over their rivals. The Atlantic crossing was more tricky. They had to deal with a damaged spinnaker, compensate for a slightly more southerly route that didn't prove profitable, and, above all, cope with the humidity and the virulent conditions. But Mathilde and Martin hung on and never gave up.

In the final stretch, faced with this large area of light wind that was causing so much trouble for the sailors, they decided to " cut the part in two ," as Martin put it, and head as close as possible to the direct route. The Demain duo ultimately finished fifth at the finish line, and despite the disappointment, they pushed through.

Throughout the race, Mathilde and Martin devoted themselves to recounting the race, the joys both small and large, on board. Their morale, their analysis of the race, as well as the sunrises and sunsets, the flying fish... The two skippers enjoyed sharing their experiences. A special mention goes to the emotional moment when Mathilde received words of encouragement from her daughters, a guarantee of staying motivated until the end!