Vendée Globe

November 02. 2008 at 10:31Northerly winds

The weather in Les Sables is fairly dull today with rain forecast this afternoon. The 15-20 knot northerly wind (force 4 to 5) will veer north-easterly this afternoon with gusts around 30 knots expected this evening.
The sea is slight becoming moderate this evening.

Sea temp: 15 degrees.

Tide times
Morning: coefficient 66 - Low tide 0h35 1.66m High tide 6h22 4.77m
Evening: coefficient 61 - Low tide 12h56 1.68m  High tide 18h35 4.48m

November 02. 2008 at 08:56It's thirty

Spirit of Weymouth and Hugo Boss returned to the fold last night, back at their rightful places at the pontoons in Port Olona. Hugo Boss sailed for just over two hours through a chilly evening in winds around 15kts and assumed her place back in the lineup just after 1930h. Steve White's boat looks resplendent with her new paint job although it will be next week before their sposnor is announced.Bahrain Team Pindar, which is skippered by Brian Thompson, is being officially named today. Hugo Boss is sailing again this morning.

November 01. 2008 at 16:53Why the number 101?

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.

November 01. 2008 at 16:42Peace in the Basque Country

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.

November 01. 2008 at 15:44The Vendée Globe shop is online

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/

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