Bernard Stamm´s technical team has asked for permission to take Cheminées Poujoulat out of the water to carry out repairs on the engine mounting. During her delivery trip to Les Sables d´Olonne, the head of the shore team noticed some suspicious sounds, when the boat was motoring. After an inspection was carried out by a diver in the harbour in les Sables, the shore team found there was a hole around the engine mount. Even if during the Vendée Globe, the propellor is sealed in place and is therefore not used, the shore team preferred nevertheless to err on the side of caution and replace it: "It´s our job to ensure Bernard is completely relaxed before the start".

Time for a photo session for Jean Le Cam on board his VM Matériaux this Sunday morning. While this was going on, his shore team continued to work all out to check out the latest little adjustments.

Fifteen launches will be present for the start. Fifteen brand new Bénéteau power cruisers will be allowing the various representatives of the press and media to watch the start from out at sea.

The weather for today (Sunday): fairly clear skies this morning, but clouding over, although there will be some brighter periods. The temperature will be around 15°C. The south-westerly wind will blow between 15 and 18 knots.
Tide times for Les Sables d´Olonne:
Sunday morning: coefficient 74
High tide 2h50 - 4.83m
Low tide 8h37 - 1.38m
Sunday afternoon: coefficient 79
High tide 15h09 - 5.01m
 Low tide 21h05 - 1.14m

The crowds of visitors continue to pour onto the Vendée Globe pontoons, while it feels like an Indian Summer in the harbour… They are turning up in their tens of thousands to grab a little of the dream for themselves. Between the village opening and 9 p.m. on Friday 24th October, already 150,000 people were recorded entering the village. Another record by Sunday evening?

The Head of the Board of PRB, Jean-Jacques Laurent is the longest serving sponsor in the race and the only one to have won twice. Remaining serene and ready to face the opposition, Vincent Riou's sponsor explains: "Both ourselves and Vincent have a more relaxed, laid-back attitude now. For the first time, we are back with the same skipper to write another chapter in this great story. This year's Vendée Globe looks fabulous. No one is going to want to give up any ground until the forties, so it is likely to be a quick start. After that, in the south it will be wisdom that shines through. As far as we are concerned, we are setting out feeling quite relaxed and with less pressure, as after all, we have already won."