During the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe press conference last Tuesday in Paris, the safety arrangements for the race were announced. Some exceptional safety arrangements have been drawn up and put in place for the sixth Vendée Globe, in order to ensure that the race takes place in the best safety conditions possible.
Gates to avoid the ice
In order to avoid any collisions with drifting ice, the most southerly section of the course (the passage through the southern seas) has been moved a little further up with the establishment of compulsory waypoints, ice gates. The position of these gates will ensure that the competitors do not take any extreme options in the far south. Moreover, some of these gates are in place to allow boats to remain within reach of Australian and New Zealand rescue services, if they need to intervene.
A website dedicated to rescue teams around the world
A website dedicated to the safety of the Vendée globe skippers has been set up to allow the organisers and rescue centres around the world to be aware of the main details about each sailor and boat, thus saving precious time, if there is a need for them to intervene.
Alain Gautier, safety consultant, Jean-Yves Chauve, the Vendée Globe doctor
Alain Gautier, the winner of the 1992 Vendée Globe, will be offering his experience to the race directors to look after the safety of the competitors. On the other side of the world, the Australian, David Adams will be in charge of contact with the various rescue teams in the southern hemisphere. Finally, Doctor Jean-Yves Chauve, the doctor specialising in ocean racing, will be monitoring the medical well being of each competitor during the race.
In order to avoid any collisions with drifting ice, the most southerly section of the course (the passage through the southern seas) has been moved a little further up with the establishment of compulsory waypoints, ice gates. The position of these gates will ensure that the competitors do not take any extreme options in the far south. Moreover, some of these gates are in place to allow boats to remain within reach of Australian and New Zealand rescue services, if they need to intervene.
A website dedicated to rescue teams around the world
A website dedicated to the safety of the Vendée globe skippers has been set up to allow the organisers and rescue centres around the world to be aware of the main details about each sailor and boat, thus saving precious time, if there is a need for them to intervene.
Alain Gautier, safety consultant, Jean-Yves Chauve, the Vendée Globe doctor
Alain Gautier, the winner of the 1992 Vendée Globe, will be offering his experience to the race directors to look after the safety of the competitors. On the other side of the world, the Australian, David Adams will be in charge of contact with the various rescue teams in the southern hemisphere. Finally, Doctor Jean-Yves Chauve, the doctor specialising in ocean racing, will be monitoring the medical well being of each competitor during the race.
