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.
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
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.
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.
