Groupe Bel left harbour this morning at 8h30 with her shore team on board to test her new sails. Kito de Pavant, who is back from a short break in Morocco, was also on board the red boat. This afternoon, Marc Thiercelin (DCNS) and Yann Eliès (Generali) are also due to set out on sea trials off Les Sables d’Olonne.

There is no longer any doubt about it. Winter has reached les Sables d'Olonne. The northerly wind continues to bring drizzle, rain and cold weather. A maximum of 10 degrees today (Saturday). The wind around fifteen knots will strengthen to 20 knots by this afternoon with gusts reaching thirty late this morning. The sea is moderate.

Tide times
High tide at 5h49 (4.93m) and 18h04 (4.70 m)
Low tide at 0h02 (1.43m) and 12h21 (1.46m)
Coefficient: 74:70

Source: Météo France

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.»