A new feature for the start of the 2008 Vendée Globe, each day from 11 in the morning, there will be a radio broadcast in French with Pierre-Louis Castelli and Frédéric Ottenhof, "Live from the pontoons." The first broadcast will take place on Saturday 1st November with the guests: Michel Desjoyeaux, Unaï Basurko, Dominique Wavre and Jean-Pierre Dick.
Each day from eleven to noon, experience the atmosphere of the pontoons in Port Olona and hear all the excitement leading up to the start on 9th November at 13h02. To listen, just click on the live feature on the home page.

 

Over the past three days, the weather has been more like winter. The maximum temperature today (Friday) will be around 11 degrees, with overcast skies and some light rain late this morning. A 10 to 15 knot north-easterly wind (force 3 to 4) will reach 20 knots locally at times later today with gusts up to 30. The sea is slight. There is a strong wind warning in force along the south coast of Brittany right down to Vendée.

 

Tide times

High tide: 5h18 (5.05m) and 17h35 (4.88 m)

Low tide: 11h47 (1.27m)

Coefficient: 80 :77

 

All going well Hugo Boss should be emerging from the shed very early tomorrow morning, ready to go in the water for a prelminary sail Saturday. Alex Thomson has returned from the UK to Les Sables d'Olonne. (Audio previewing sailing plans with David Duff on www.Vendeeglobe.org)

Jean Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2), inside his Farr designed boat: «I´m in the middle of re-reading the race instructions, going through all the problems that may arise over the course. I have just come back from a few days in Corsica and inland from Nice. I´m feeling calm, yet being kept busy all the time, and I´m very pleased to be back with my team.»

Karen Leibovici, who took part in the last Vendée Globe: «No, I´m not feeling nostalgic about the race. I don´t have any regrets when I see all the boats lined up here. I no longer think about what it was like four years ago. I´ve got other things to take care of. I´ve been working with Yannick Bestaven (Aquarelle.com) since last May. I started out as an assistant preparing the boat. Now, I´m looking after the logistics. I´m just getting ready to deal with getting the supplies on board the boat.»

Arnaud Boissières (Akéna Vérandas): «Since Sunday, we´ve noticed a distinct change in the weather. Time to get something warm on our heads and meanwhile the stress is gradually building. The boat is ready, and now we have to take advantage of these final ten days, particularly with the sponsors. This evening, the boat will be open to the employees of Akena and their families for two and a half hours.»

There were some strong gusts of wind during the night in les Sables d’Olonne. Today, you still need to think about bringing the waterproofs and a hat, if you are going to visit the harbour. Minimum temperature: 5 degrees and maximum 12 degrees. Some thundery showers are expected during the day. Out at sea, the general synopsis is that a 983 hpa low over the English Channel is moving slowly south eastwards, while a high pressure area dominates over the Azores. The wind, force 4 to 5 northwesterly with stronger gusts will veer north easterly during the afternoon. The sea is slight to moderate. Given these conditions, the few boats planning to sail today will perhaps remain moored up, if the weather does not improve… That in any case were the plans discussed by the shore teams of Delta Dore, Akena Vérandas and Aquarelle.com.

The latest from the Hugo Boss repairs: Boatworld. Bulkhead repairs are now all done and the final internal fastenings are being added to the hull. The team remain on target for final painting and post-cure tomorrow night with the doors opening for the trip to the port at 0700hrs Friday. Rigworld: The mast has had its final lamination and is now being cooked to perfection. Once complete, the only evidence that anything has changed will be a slight bulge where the join is (think 'very tall ostrich that has swallowed one of its own eggs'). The new standing rigging is on order and should arrive tomorrow, ready for fitting on Friday morning. Elsewhere in Spliceworld, the mainsail is having a final once over and main halyard block is in place. Logistically everything is coming together despite the incredibly tight deadlines. A detailed plan of military precision is in place for Friday to ensure the boat is transferred safely to the commercial port, keel and rig attached ready for a successful launch on Saturday.