Bruno Retailleau, President of the Vendée Council, was extremely clear on Monday morning, when he talked to business leaders from the whole of Western France, who were there to meet the skippers, sponsors and organisers of the Vendée Globe during what was a highly instructive session: "There are still some top skippers looking for partners or co-partners that we would like to see lining up at the start of the Vendée Globe. With a year to go to the start, there is still time, as there are some very good boats available in the market. And yes, it is affordable, taking into account the huge multiplier effect of the media coverage. In short, there are bargains to be had."

Today, while 14 sailors are certain to be there at the start on 10th November 2012, around twenty others are looking for a budget to be able to compete (see lists below). For twelve of these hopefuls, this will be their first attempt, but eight of them are safe bets having already raced in the Vendée Globe, with some star names, who have already contributed to the legend of the solo round the world race: the French sailors, Jérémie Beyou, Jean Le Cam, Yann Eliès and Raphaël Dinelli and the British sailors, Samantha Davies, Dee Caffari, Brian Thompson and Steve White.

Stars and boats at affordable prices
Way too expensive? No, far from it! Luc Talbourdet, President of the IMOCA class points out: “With one year to go to the start, there are sailors and boats on the market, in with a chance of winning. While a new project costs around 3 million euros, a boat can be bought today for half that price, so around 1.5 million euros.” And we don’t mean taking part in the race to end up at the rear. There could well be a winning project in amongst those, who still haven’t found a partner. “The 2004-2005 Vendée Globe was won by PRB, a boat that Michel Desjoyeaux had raced on in 2000,” Luc Talbourdet reminded everyone. Jérémie Beyou, one of the sailors who were present yesterday morning pointed out when he won the Transat Jacques Vabre, that “there is not really a huge difference between boats from the latest generation and those from the previous generation. In other words, it is possible to race in the Vendée Globe and be in with a real chance of winning.”

Several business leaders came along to offer their contribution to the discussions after successfully investing in the Vendée Globe. Patricia Brochard, co-president of the Sodebo Group: “The return on investment for the firm can vary from 1 to 20 and each project gets its share of the cake, from the first boat home to the last. Another aspect to take into account: you can write off the depreciation of a boat and resell it. 100% of the boats that we invested in to take part in the Vendée Globe paid for themselves… but then we were able to sell them.”
Christophe Chabot, CEO of Akena Vérandas also took a pragmatic stance: "I tell business leaders that there is very little risk. It is in fact a great opportunity that should be grabbed, as there are at least eight very competitive boats and just as many skippers out there on the market. Now is the time to take advantage of that, both to develop your internal strategy and show off your company’s values to the outside world. Don’t forget that the Vendée Globe goes way beyond sailing fans: it interests everyone and is a unique race.” André Prunier, Commercial Director of Cheminées a similar viewpoint.

A unique communications opportunity
So those bosses are obviously quite pleased: the Vendée Globe is an excellent business opportunity. It is true that the figures are truly impressive: 1.7 million spectators in Les Sables d’Olonne, 15 to 20,000 people per day for each finish (as many as attend the French tennis tournament at Rolland Garros), 300,000 just for the start, 59 million web visitors all around the world, thousands of press articles and TV reports, posted by 2400 journalists, who came from around the globe… "It is a unique communications opportunity,” insisted Bruno Retailleau.

Denis Horeau, the Race Director hammered this point home with a touch of humour: "If Sam Davies doesn’t make it and if Jérémie Beyou, Jean Le Cam, Yann Eliès and the others don’t join us, I’m not certain that I want to signal the start of the race!”

It is hard to imagine that a handful of new companies will not decide to grab this opportunity to take part in the adventure. An adventure which remains accessible to small and medium sized businesses, as Christophe Chabot reminds us: "When we set off with Raphaël Dinelli, Akena Vérandas had a turnover of 25 million euros. Today it is three times that. I’m not saying that is just down to the Vendée Globe, but it certainly helped. If you talk to the head of PRB (who won two Vendée Globe races with Michel Desjoyeaux and then Vincent Riou, editor’s note) he talks about an annual increase of 15%, of which a third is linked to his investment in the race.” So if anyone’s listening...

Aiming for the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe (on 28th November 2011)
14 registered so far
• Vincent Riou (FRA) - PRB
• Armel Le Cléac'h (FRA) - Banque Populaire
• Marc Guillemot (FRA) - Safran
• Mike Golding (GB) - Gamesa
• Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA) - Virbac-Paprec 3
• Bernard Stamm (SUI) - Cheminées Poujoulat
• Javier Sanso (ESP) - Acciona
• Alex Thomson (GB) - Hugo Boss
• François Gabart (FRA) - Macif
• Dominique Wavre (SUI) - Mirabaud (SUI)
• Kito de Pavant (FRA) - Groupe Bel
• Alessandro Di Benedetto (FRA/ITA) - Team Plastique
• Arnaud Boissières (FRA) - Akena Vérandas
• Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty (FRA) - sponsor TBA

20 hopefuls waiting for a partner:
8 of which have already competed in the Vendée Globe
• Jérémie Beyou (FRA)
• Yann Eliès (FRA)
• Jean Le Cam (FRA)
• Samantha Davies (GB)
• Dee Caffari (GB)
• Brian Thompson (GB)
• Raphaël Dinelli (FRA)
• Steve White (GB)

12 hope to take part fro the first time
• Guillermo Altadill (ESP)
• Louis Burton (FRA)
• Christophe Bullens (BEL)
• Marc Emig (FRA)
• Boris Herrmann (GER)
• John Mackay (GB)
• Juan Merediz (ESP)
• Phil Sharp (GB)
• Pachi Rivero (ESP)
• Kris Owczarek (POL)
• Alex Pella (ESP)
• Oscar Mead (GB)

WHAT THEY SAID
Bruno Retailleau, president of the Vendée Council
”The Vendée Globe is a legendary event and we are doing our utmost to make it even bigger. The main ingredient in the Vendée Globe is firstly its very simple concept: one man, one boat, non-stop around the world. What makes it so powerful is that it is one of the remaining human adventures on the world’s biggest stage, the oceans. The media coverage is huge and in some ways, the race is suffering from its success: it is true that many smaller businesses think that the Vendée Globe is beyond their grasp, but in reality, it remains very accessible.”

Louis Guédon, Mayor of Les Sables d'Olonne
"It’s the only race that the media talk about every day for three months. The race offers us some unforgettable images. Taking part in the Vendée Globe is the best way to unite your workforce and show a bold image to others."

Denis Horeau, Race Director, presenting the skippers
”I can’t imagine the start of the Vendée Globe without Jérémie Beyou being there!” Talking about Louis Burton: “I was amazed by his performance in the Jacques Vabre, he simply has to join us”; Samantha Davies: “The bright star, who illuminated the last Vendée Globe in 2008 with her clear communications skills”; Jean Le Cam: “King Jean has won just about everything and his film reports are unforgettable.”

Luc Talbourdet, president of the IMOCA
"Investing in the Vendée Globe generates coverage for years...look at Fleury Michon that everyone still talks about."

Patricia Brochard, co-president of the Sodebo Group
"This is the race that best symbolises the enterprising spirit. We’re dealing with exceptional sportsmen with values associated with their simple approach, respect and commitment. They join in with the true spirit of our projects and firms. Inside the company, all of our employees join together and feel involved in the project."

Christophe Chabot, CEO of Akena Vérandas
"Taking part in the Vendée Globe really developed our image and our company’s reputation. This race thrills everyone, even those, who know nothing about sailing. For us the added value inside the company is huge. Our skipper Arnaud Boissières fits in perfectly with our firm’s project both at sea and on dry land."

André Prunier, Commercial Director of Cheminées Poujoulat
"All of these sailors bring meaning to a company, as they too are entrepreneurs. For Cheminées Poujoulat (180 million euros turnover) the annual budget is 1.5 million euros. This is a long term commitment. What is interesting is that the company name is quoted as often as the name of the racer. We began with a co-sponsoring project, which is a good idea to get going and gradually that built to represent 90% of the partnership.”

Jérémie Beyou, skipper
"I can’t imagine going through 2012 without taking part in the Vendée Globe. I don’t have anything else planned except some gardening. For the moment the phone is ringing a lot, but it is obvious that people are hesitant. Someone has to be bold enough to get involved as personally we have a lot to offer in terms of a great show and all the associated coverage."

Jean Le Cam, skipper
"Sailing is a medium, which is nowhere near as expensive as others. It’s a great way to stand out from the crowd. It’s always when times are tough that we see the best. You can’t count on performance from your business unless everyone is brought together and the Vendée offers that opportunity, as well as offering your business the reputation of being enterprising."

Samantha Davies, skipper
"I’m still looking for one or two co-partners to complete my budget. I have found the boat I want to be on at the start on 10th November 2012. I will definitely be there on the starting line!”