All of the boats have a number on the hull and on their mainsail. This "number plate" is not a number that is handed out automatically. In most cases, it has been chosen by the skipper and therefore becomes a symbolic figure, which in this case hides a little tale. 101, the number displayed by Foncia, is Alain Gautier's lucky number. He, of course, was also sponsored by Foncia and indeed won the 1992 Vendée Globe. Michel Desjoyeaux, the skipper of the Farr-designed boat, simply wished to keep the same number.

Pakea means peace in the Basque language and Bizkaia is simply the name of the area around Bilbao. Through his project, Unai Basurko, the only yachtsman financed by a local authority, is aiming to change the image of the Basque country, which has suffered so much, because of what has been going on in this part of Spain. At the age of 35, Unai is preparing to set sail on his second round the world voyage (after finishing third in the Velux 5 Oceans in 2007). For him, taking part in the Vendée Globe is a dream, which is about to come true and a way to follow in the footsteps of the Spanish yachtsman, José Luis de Ugarte, who took part in the 1992 race and died earlier this year.

If you are a fan of the ocean race and everything to do with the Vendée Globe, you will find all sorts of articles relating to the Everest of sailing in the online Vendée Globe shop . Items for the whole family: sportswear, caps, tee-shirts, bags, gadgets, books, DVDs,... all branded Vendée Globe.
For more info, log on to: http://boutique.vendeeglobe.org/

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.