Chosen as an ambassador by the Red tribe, Colin had to avoid weakening the yellow team during the reunification in Koh Lanta the cursed totem. After a deal made with Louana and the elimination of Setha, the majority of the Reds chose to eliminate him.
As a great sportsman, Colin wanted to go far in the Koh Lanta adventure, the cursed totem. The Swiss candidate, however, saw his adventure come to an end with the reunification council. Colin was designated ambassador by the opposing team who considered him the most likely to falter in the face of the pressure of the black ball (used to decide between the two ambassadors who would not have agreed). The yellow team having lost the previous event, Colin had an additional guarantee: he was more likely to fall on the black ball (66%) than his opponent of the day Louana (50%). Returning to his promises kept against the Yellows, the Swiss chose to eliminate Setha and save his adventure. He then hoped to see his deal with Louana come true. But the Reds decided not to keep their promise and eliminate him on the spot. Colin comes back for us on his journey in Koh Lanta and on the episode where everything changed for his adventure Koh Lanta 2022.
Why did you choose to participate in Koh Lanta?
First, because I like a challenge, pushing my body to its limits. I like getting out of my comfort zone. I also wanted to make my loved ones, my country and all the people around me proud.
You had the opportunity to test yourself on the physical tests. How did you feel during these trials?
For the tests I took in a group, I was quite comfortable. We won a lot of races. I believe I am one of the people who have won the most group events so far. Frankly, I loved confronting myself and doing these events that I was watching on TV at the time. To do them in real life, it’s really extraordinary sensations.
In what state of mind did you arrive on the adventure?
I had a good feeling with the candidates on the boat, I thought the people seemed nice. Then, from the start, I put a lot of stress on myself for the first test. I told myself that it was going to be very violent from an emotional and stress point of view. I had put myself in the state of mind “there is no choice, we are going to blow it all up”.
It’s been a difficult season from a weather and survival point of view. What was the hardest for you?
Yes, the climate, the lack of hygiene and sleep, it’s difficult. But everything becomes quite incidental compared to the lack of food. It’s something you can’t really get used to. We think about food all the time. We lack energy, we fall asleep at night with a lump in our stomach… Clearly, the hardest thing is food.
You are chosen by the Reds as an ambassador in episode 9. Were you surprised by their choice?
I was not surprised. I think it was a good choice of the Reds. I didn’t necessarily want to play my adventure on this black ball.
You promise your team to go to the black ball but don’t. What caused this reversal?
So in fact, there is no reversal. I told them I was going to go but I had no intention of going to the black ball. The reason is that everyone promised that he was going to go to the black ball. Me, I arrived at the end of the round table where, each in turn, everyone promised that he was going to go to the black ball. If I had said that I would not go, it was the perfect excuse to eliminate me if someone else had been chosen. That was before we knew who the ambassador was. And afterwards, as I had a little confidence in my powers of persuasion, I didn’t want them to lose confidence in me by finally telling them that no, I wasn’t going. I told myself that I was going to try to give everything to the ambassadors, always keeping in mind not to go to the black ball but rather to give everything on persuasion.
Facing Louana, you come across a wall. You lose the game of willpower. What made you finally give up?
The problem is, I’m not 100% clear with the rules of when you can roll back the decision. When Denis asks me if I’m 100% sure, I say yes, telling myself that there is still a possibility of going back. But how far back can we go? I think that was my problem, I wanted to play the bluff until the end but Louana the same. So we ended up in this situation where I wondered “is she going to go or not?” Finally, I thought to myself that maybe she was going to go. But I’m not sure she would have gone, honestly.
Why choose to eliminate Setha rather than another yellow candidate?
Because Setha is someone with whom I have less feeling, who is quite behind on the camp. We didn’t have much opportunity to discuss personal things. She was a little disconnected from the group. I didn’t want the Yellows to be too angry with me either, and given that she had been pretty much in the hot seat for advice from the start… If you will, it was a heartfelt choice for me but also for the team because I didn’t want them to be too mad at me either.
Setha had some pretty harsh words for you when you announced her departure. Have you had the opportunity to discuss it since?
We haven’t really had a chance to discuss it. In terms of words, I don’t mind. She could have said whatever she wanted, I was there to take it. I know how difficult it is. If I put myself in his place, I might have been even more virulent. I understand his reaction. I understand her saying that. Let her be reassured, I am a man. I’m cashing in and I haven’t really taken it into account. She says what goes through her head emotionally and that’s normal.
François and Nicolas discuss the choice of ambassadors and say that you were the best choice to avoid going to the black ball. Do you understand their point of view?
Yes, I can understand their point of view. Inevitably, there is my ally and friend Alexandra who has just been eliminated, we are moving into a strategic game phase, I don’t want to play my adventure for Setha. It was a good choice. They captured very well what was happening.
You negotiate with Louana that you and Olga be spared for the next four councils. Did you really think you were safe on the reunification council?
Honestly, yeah. I didn’t think they were going to necessarily hold the four councils, I’m not naive. I know how it is on Koh Lanta. I knew it wasn’t going to hold but on the other hand I was convinced that they were going to at least keep their word for the first council. They didn’t, it’s a shame. They said it was because I hadn’t kept my word but obviously they didn’t need to keep their word either. I especially think that they were worried to find themselves facing me in the individual events because I was relatively worrying for the future and the sporting side.
In your opinion, was it more of an excuse to get rid of a physically dangerous candidate?
I’m convinced. Maybe it’s my ego speaking, but I’m convinced of it. They found the right way to eliminate me by having a reason. They had the opportunity to do it and they did it. Like that, they had an excuse.
What is the memory you will keep the most of your adventure?
I think I’ll keep the comfort we gained on the boat where we were really in an idyllic parenthesis. Truly, we were in paradise. It was crazy stuff. We had plenty of food. We were fine. We had comfort. We were among ourselves. It was a great atmosphere.
Do you have any regrets in this adventure?
I must have some. There are always regrets. But, you can redo the game as much as you want, at some point you have to accept and move on.
How do you view your career in Koh Lanta?
Overall, I did not expect to meet such extraordinary people. I will keep a good memory of it even if I did not do at all what I had come to do in Koh Lanta. In a way, I’m happy with this adventure which was very emotional and very beautiful, but I’m very disappointed with the end result.
What was the objective before leaving?
In my head, it was very clear. I was not there to go as far as reunification. I was there for the score, for the game and to win.
Would you like to be able to participate in Koh Lanta again if you had the opportunity?
I would pay €100,000 to go back! (laughs) If they call me, I leave within ten minutes. Even without business, I take the direct plane. Without an ounce of doubt.