Dakar 2023 logbook – A day in the Delta helicopter, the sky watcher

The Dakar looks like a Tour de France. It is certainly necessary to make an effort of imagination, such as changing the Pyrenean and Alpine mountains for the Saudi dunes, and adding engines to the competitors of the rally-raid. But for the rest, the resemblance is uncanny: same adventure to the physical and mental limits of the athletes, roaming across a large territory, identical organizer (Amaury Sport Organization) and above all, the presence of several helicopters.
A helicopter overhead can only announce one thing: the imminence of a large-scale event.

Have you ever waved at a helicopter flying over your village in July, rather than cheering on the cyclists? Come on, there is no shame in admitting it, the author of these lines has done it several times, in both competitions. Except that on this Wednesday, January 11, for the first time, it's me who is being greeted. Or rather the helicopter called “Delta” on the 10th stage of the Dakar 2023.

Such a privilege is earned. For my part, I had to wait for my third cover at the Dakar for the door to heaven to finally open. Needless to say, you will have to savor every moment! The day begins at dawn with presentations in the parking lot of the 11 helicopters (4 for medical, 4 for television, 2 for the organization and 1 for photographers), adjacent to the bivouac. Not juxtaposed either, it would be annoying to cover the vehicles with dust raised by the propellers during takeoff!

Our pilot of the day is not included on the entry list, even if Gilles Plaisance is an expert in the air… and hospitality “ Have a chocolate! » he says to his fellow passengers. I feel a little guilty about being the only one to reach into the box of treats. Next to him in the cabin sits Edoardo Mossi, alias “Edo”. He has been the sporting coordinator of the Dakar since 2019 and oversees the smooth running of the event in tandem with the race director, David Castera. « Today, David follows the stage from the PCO (Operational Coordination Post, real control tower of the rally within the bivouac) et I'm in the helicopter. The roles will reverse tomorrow”, he explains to me.

I come and take a seat in the middle of the back seat. Logical, since at my side are two people who did not ask for any invitation, but rather for the right to carry out their work. To my left is Nicolas Ponthieu, an anesthetist with an adventurous appearance. To my right, Charly Lopez, one of the best rally-raid photographers there is. In short, everyone knows their job here, it would be better if I didn't talk nonsense in the cabin!

The coffee stop at the start of the stage linking Haradh to Shaybah in the south of the country allows Edo to clarify his responsibility. “To call vehicles, or helicopters, we use the NATO phonetic alphabet: Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta. Delta means “Direction”. The holy of holies!

On the one hand, the Delta must have a general vision and manage directly all the problems that we may have during the race, and find solutions. But the most important thing is to anticipate these concerns. We have another helicopter, named Oscar, who takes care of the opening of the special, before us. In the helicopter, we have a radio to communicate with each other. If Oscar notices a safety problem (misplaced machine, obstacle on the track, etc.) at km 40, he notifies us and we go to that place to resolve this matter.

Sports fairness is precious. This problem cannot be resolved after the first competitor has left, as this would create an imbalance. In addition, the doctor allows you to be reactive in the event of an accident. Medical evacuations are carried out on average in 15 minutes, regardless of the location of the crash on a stage,” explains the man who has competed in the Dakar five times on a motorcycle and by car.

The stage enters the Empty Quarter, a desert of dunes as big as France. It was not an easy task for ASO to enter while the race has been taking place in Saudi Arabia since 2020. “Logistics is the major concern, continues Edo Mossi, who also leads the reconnaissance on the Dakar. We have been scouting for two years. We had to adjust our system, for example with more medical evacuation planes due to the absence of a nearby airport. We did the recce in summer, it was hell, with peaks of 50 degrees during the day! Our task, when writing the road book, is to find the right balance between the possible and the impossible. For the moment, the competitors are delighted. »

A slice of brioche swallowed and we set off to fly over the first bikers. And there, the magic happens. Hearing the rotor of the Airbus H125, Ignacio Cornejo (Honda) delights us. Wheelings, jumps at the slightest bump, and generous sprays of sand projected by his rear wheel into the tops of the dunes: the Chilean puts on a show for the sake of Charly's photos, and incidentally, for my eyes.

The show is unfortunately interrupted by a call on the radio. A collision between two amateur motorcyclists has just occurred behind a broken dune. We must turn back quickly. Nicolas forgets his playful character to rediscover the seriousness of his profession. The helicopter's blades are still spinning as he jumps out of the plane to run to the injured Lorenzo Maestrami and Paul Neff. A medical helicopter is already on site but Delta's help is not too much to move the bikers. The American Paul Neff will be hit the hardest: a dislocated wrist, numerous broken ribs and a few small stable fractures in the lower spine.

While around ten doctors (dressed in yellow to be recognizable) provide first aid, and inflate the shell mattresses which will be used to move them in the medical helicopter, Charly takes photos. As for me, I hardly know where to put myself, because I have never been on the scene of such a serious fall. I will then offer my help to plant the wooden stakes and connect them with a ribbon to warn the following competitors of the danger.

Edo then places the two motorcycles at the top of the dune to better symbolize the scene of the accident. “ You're going to do another job, which is to warn approaching cars. Stand 50 meters before the dune and tell them to go around the obstacle! »

In these circumstances, it is necessary to execute fissa. With many raised arms, the task is accomplished. I will keep quiet the names of the drivers who veered off as late as possible, probably thinking that I was going to step aside like a hardcore Dakar fan!
Back in Delta, Nicolas relaxes very quickly. “ I like to be where the action is happening, in the heart of the animation, like what just happened. I like meeting people, being of service, it's great to experience an adventure like the Dakar. It feels a bit like an expedition! I love it and you have to enjoy it while you're young! »

We return to the bivouac to refill the kerosene and we rush towards the last part of the short 113 km stage, this time alongside the SSV and trucks. The sun is lower, the light is magnificent, and the dunes are visible as far as the eye can see. Hey, the sand can have a rust color! The Tatra truck gives meaning to the expression “swallowing the dunes”. As the slope gets higher, the behemoth does not release the accelerator and keeps a regular and high tempo. Amazing !

The adventures are not over yet. An SSV is seen on the roof in the distance. Hop, we're going for an aerobatics session. The Squirrel (that's the helicopter's nickname) turns almost vertical and drastically reduces its speed. Fortunately my stomach is in good shape! We don't even have time to note the number of the crew who was particularly upset against a competitor who pushed them to the top of a poop. Unharmed, the pilot and his navigator are put back upright and they try to leave... without having put the harnesses back in place! Fortunately, Edo calls them to order immediately.

Between two jokes, Edo has no time to breathe. The end of the course is littered with careless local spectators. Rotation, landing (or rather, sanding) and firm but courteous discussion with the public. It will take the help of law enforcement to clear the area.

I think I'm off to new adventures when, as I climb into the helicopter, Edo announces: " We're going back home ! » With all these events, I hadn't paid attention but indeed, the race is about to end.

The next day, the crew will take to the air again for a new stage marked with the seal of the unknown. New dangers will have to be resolved promptly in order to guarantee the success of this Dakar 2023, whether in terms of safety or sporting fairness.