Vendée Globe

The Vendée Globe tests the extremes, from the heat and humidity of the Doldrums to the frozen wastes of the deep South, it is an acknowledged fact that the solo skipper who is more comfortable in the conditions will perform better both physically and mentally.

The skippers work hard with and make demands of their technical clothing suppliers, they have particular personal preferences and even the odd foibles – Mike Golding has taken a pair of Marks & Spencer’s slippers before – but, just as with their food and nutrition and their relaxation and de-stressing with music and films – technology advances mean that comfort and personal climate control is a priority which may not cost weight. Even if it does a little then it is worth it.

Nigel Musto, of Musto, leads the development programme for British skippers like Mike Golding, Brian Thompson, Jonny Malbon as well as for French skippers like Seb Josse and Vendée Globe winner Vincent Rioux. He explains a few of the differences which they have been making for the skippers since the 2004 edition of the race:

“ Specifically I have done a lot of work with Mike Golding, Seb Josse and Vincent Riou and more recently with Brian Thompson, in recent years. I spent some time sailing on Pindar as well just to get half an appreciation of what sailing on one these latest generation Open 60’s is like going downwind at 25 knots is like for the poor bloke who is sailing it, and so really it is a bit like standing in front of a fire hose.”

“And from that respect it is probably not much different from sailing a new VO70. As a result, following the work we did last time around we have gone for heavier outer fabrics. The problem with standing in front of a fire hose in a light weight fabric is that basically the light weight outers become body forming, and that makes the cold shock of the water that much worse and much faster, and therefore you lose more body heat. By going for a heavier weight fabric we are able to help create a bigger air space, underneath that fabric and therefore reduce the effect of the cold shock when the water hits, and so, therefore retain more body heat, which has made a big difference. The guys are reporting that it feels warmer, and for some reason they stay dryer too. It has had quite an effect.”

Musto remarks: “ Middle layers have not changed a great deal, we are still using Polartec with Gore Tex shells on them, so that when they sit down below on a bunk covered with condensation then they are still managing to stay a bit dry.”

“ Underwear is as standard.”

“ As for closures, a lot more skippers are going for latex seals, which do really seem to be the only way to keep everything out. More people are wearing Drysuits. I think people are starting to appreciate that if you are going to be in that environment for that long, then a dry suit is always going to be better than a two piece suit of any type simply because it does not have as many closures on it, and the Gore Tex dry suits are very comfortable to wear, a bit of a challenge to get in and out of, but once you are into them then they really are quite comfortable to wear. And when the going does get really nasty it is really worth slipping into one of those and living in it until it does calm down a bit.”

The development process is ongoing:
“ We do de-briefs with all of the skippers after the race. One of the interesting challenges of the Vendée is that, of course, it is single handers. You have not got a team consensus, and so the slightly odder ideas get ironed out. We have done some various bits for Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore) and with Vincent Riou (PRB) and Brian Thompson all have specific. Brian does not like collars and cuffs, and so he has a long HPX Smock, which comes down almost to his knees, like the Kiwis and Aussies used to wear these long coats. He has one with latex neck and wrist seals and no collar, which many other people would say is absolute madness. But that is what he wants to wear. Vincent has some odd bits as well, but I’d prefer not to say what. They have bespoke items as has Mike.
They are no longer after taking as little as possible.”

And no longer is a Spartan approach to weight a vital driver in what they choose to take:
“There is now a real appreciation that they know that they perform better when they are comfortable and warm.” Explains Musto, “ Weight is more of an issue if there are 11 guys on a crew, but guys are taking spare trousers just in case one pair tears, they have spare middle layers and plenty of spare underwear. Personal comfort is so important. Mentally they are drained if they are not comfortable. They get very tired anyway and so staying warm and dry is vital. Having a dry set of underwear or clothes to get into after you have been exerting yourself on deck and are very wet and cold can be really important.”

He continues:
“ We have people taking two sets of trousers, two or three middle layers and underwear they will take two and maybe three jackets, two pairs of salopettes and probably four or five sets of underwear. There is no weight and the underwear is vacuum packed so takes no space.”
“So, for example, at the end of week three, to be able to change your underwear is a real treat.”

“ Gloves, socks, hats are very, very personal. When it comes to heads, hands and feet, people have all their own personal preferences – from people wanting Gore Tex socks and trainers – to people wanting heavy rubber wellies. Hands are a notorious problem. They will all have gloves from us for the rope work, but when you get into the deep South then you have everything, Norwegian deep sea fisherman’s gloves with latex seals.
Our underwear has a silver finish which is anti microbial, silver is a very effective anti-microbial. It just means that, relatively, the smell does not build up so much. But, if you are going to wear your underwear for four weeks at a time then it is going to smell a bit.”

He concludes:
“ The race is important to us as a company, of course, not only because we are sailors ourselves, but because most of these guys have become friends and you want to do the best you can for your friends, too.”

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