Vendée Globe

November 01. 2008 at 15:17Special train from Nantes

If you are travelling to the start of the Vendée Globe, it may be useful to know that a special train is being put in place from Nantes on Sunday 9th November at 07h17 , which will arrive in Les Sables d'Olonne at 8h30 (Tickets cost 10€).  The return journey will leave Les Sables d'Olonne the same day at 18h20 and arrive in Nantes at 19h33.

November 01. 2008 at 14:40Virtual regatta: sign up now

Have you ever dreamt of showing what you can do against Michel Desjoyeaux, Vincent Riou, Mike Golding and the strategic masters? Is there a yachtsman slumbering in you? Ready to tackle the southern seas from the safety of your bedroom? Time for you to sign up for the Virtual Regatta... There are already more than 3700 other people lined up for the start. Let's just hope they don't get their rigging tangled up...

 http://www.virtualregatta.com/index_vendee.php?old_old_old_langue=EN

November 01. 2008 at 14:36Relaunched Hugo Boss sailing later today.

Alex Thomson and members of his team are planning to sail for an hour or two later this afternoon, probably from about 1630hrs. Hugo Boss went back in the water at 0730hrs this morning.

November 01. 2008 at 11:04Three boats at sea today

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.

November 01. 2008 at 10:51Winter is here

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

October 31. 2008 at 19:34Live from the pontoons

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.

 

October 31. 2008 at 11:40Meanwhile, the race directors…

With less than ten days to go before the start, the Vendée Globe race directors led by Denis Horeau, are hard at work going through the final formalities. Mathias Lallemand is responsible for completing the safety files in order to update the Rescue site (bringing together all the useful information required by rescue teams). Marc Dahringer, in charge of the work area, is preparing the logistical aspects of the start: there will be eleven buoys to put in place to mark off the exit channel for the 60-foot boats, the race area, the start area and safety zone. These arrangements require the use of 60 RIBs. In addition to the organisers\' armada, there are the boats around the racers, (2 RIBs allowed for each competitor, so in all around sixty boats), and then the policing arrangements out on the water, including twenty boats supplied by the French authorities. Finally, Julian Hocken is responsible for relations with the foreign racers. Around ten briefings are planned for next week. In the wings, the pace is stepping up.

 

 

October 31. 2008 at 09:21Dull with some light rain

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

 

October 30. 2008 at 18:21Out of the shed

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)

October 30. 2008 at 17:34Down on the pontoons

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.»