The highlights of Yann Eliès's press conference (Generali) this morning in the Vendée Globe village….

Talking about the performance of the boats: «We have all spent three million euros on our boats and after all that, we end up with something like the Figaros! We all have fabulous machines, which all more or less go the same speed.»

Talking about his first Vendée Globe: «The first for me will be to finish the race. For the moment, we're in the final stages, the last kisses for my children, the last time I lock my front door… When the final spectator boat disappears from view, we'll be at the bottom of the mountain with our back-pack and pick.»

Finding the right pace and in my own world: «How do I see the start of the race? I go aboard my boat, close the doors and am off into my own little world. I'm going to try to do my race without paying attention to what is happening around me. I want to find my own pace and don't want to get carried away by the antics of the hotheads setting off at full throttle, who could see things all come to an end in a few days.»

Still on the pace: «I cannot claim to be going at the same pace as Michel Desjoyeaux, as I don't have his experience. The important thing for me is to be at one with myself and the boat.»

Talking about the food on board: «Pleasure should not consider weight, and food is one of the rare pleasures you can have on board.»

"There are around twenty of us in with a chance of winning. We know what we are doing and we have the boats that it takes. Having said that, some of us should be feared more than others..."

What do you think are the toughest parts of the voyage?

«To begin with, the start, not because of all the accompanying boats, as I know the organisers will take good care of that, but because of the fact that where you are positioned at the start can well determine the rest of the race. After that, there are the Doldrums, which are tricky, but the worst part is facing the aggressive conditions in the south."

During Marc Thiercelin's press conference, DCNS announced the name of the winner of their talent contest: Christopher Pratt. «For ten months, we have been through a long selection progress with Romain Attanasio. I'm pleased to be learning alongside Marc, as after his Vendée Globe, he will be my tutor for two years before I take part in the 2010 Route du Rhum,» explained the young skipper.

Physically and mentally prepared, Sébastien Josse is back again this time with a boat designed with winning in mind. Seb can look back on his previous round the world voyages (solo in the 2004-2005 Vendée Globe and as skipper in the Volvo Race) from a more mature perspective… Cutting his teeth in Figaro races, he was also able to learn a lot from the previous generation of racers. Maybe Sébastien Josse represents the perfect synthesis bringing together the «old » and the «new»...

Extracts from his press conference:
«Physically I've been involved in this project for two years, but it's been on my mind now for four. »

«We weren't looking for any major innovations. She's a boat designed to complete the Vendée Globe. As the schedule was fairly tight, we didn't want to take any risks and we went for the tried and tested solutions.»

«I never said in 2004 that I would not do it again… »

«It's with the wind between five and ten knots that you have to spend time at the helm. In these conditions, a well-set boat can achieve the maximum of her potential.»

«During the last Vendée Globe, before setting out, I thought I was invincible… Then, like everyone else, I was surprised to find the weather wasn't always going to push us along. When I saw Michel Desjoyeaux crying in the film of the 2000-2001 Vendée Globe, I didn't understand. Now I do.»

«Does seeing such a strong line-up strengthen my motivation? No. »

From eleven this morning, the guests on the "Live from the Pontoons" programme with Pierre-Louis Castelli and Frédéric Ottenhof will be in order, Sylvie Viant, the President of the Race Committee, Dee Caffari, the skipper of Aviva, Roland Jourdain, the skipper of Véolia Environnement, Sam Davies (Roxy), Derek Hatfield (Algimouss Spirit of Canada) and Marc Thiercelin (DCNS).

A light-hearted look with Sam Davies at what you can find inside Roxy…

"On my chart table, there is a hand-warmer. I've got a few with me, as I don't want to feel cold. There is also a watertight case for my camera. And some headlamps. In general, I tend to pick up headlamps and find them the next day in my back pack. On the other side, there is a little glass jar filled with sand from Les Sables d’Olonne. A gentleman from the Museum lent it to me. Apparently, it is the jar Ellen MacArthur took with her eight years ago. Now it's my turn to take it around the world and bring it home to Les Sables in February. On the right, there's Lucky Duck (a cuddly duck) and his little friend, Foxy (a flamingo). Lucky has already done eight transatlantic races, but Foxy has only just started to sail. Then, there is this little cow, which did the transat with Jeanne. And as usual, I'm taking my lucky pants and three pairs of red socks (Peter Blake's lucky socks)".

Girly items?
"A mirror, some shampoo, as my hairdresser was horrified to hear that I washed my hair in washing-up liquid! I have cut my hair and will be doing some plaits that I'll keep in place for five days until they start to itch!"