As they prepare for three months at sea, most of the skippers have chopped off all or part of their hair. Some turned up this morning with a bald head, or at least a short back and sides. Even Jean Le Cam has thinned his thick wavy hair, while Arnaud Boissières is due to be receiving a visit from a hairdresser on board his Akena Vérandas. This is not just to look respectable, as they meet Neptune, but to simplify washing, shampooing and hair care… which cannot really be their main worry aboard their monohulls.

According to the start order decided by the race directors, based on where the boats were moored at the pontoon, it is the British sailor, Dee Caffari, who will be the first to cast off tomorrow morning at 9h15 and follow the local fishermen out of the harbour. After that, the boats will leave their moorings at four-minute intervals.

"I can't quite believe that tomorrow Aviva and I will be lining up against so many sailing legends and to lead the fleet out is an awesome feeling. In 2000, I was here as part of Mike Golding's shore crew, but at the time my limited experience meant I was given the glamorous jobs like jumping in the freezing water and scrubbing the bottom of the boat! Now I'm here with my own Open 60 and I can't wait to go racing against the best in the world," declared Dee.

Gildas Morvan, French single-handed ocean racing champion, came to visit the Vendée Globe sailors and offered us some of his thoughts.
 

The aim of his visit
«To see the boats, to observe and compare. In the back of my mind, there is the idea that maybe next time around, I will be there at the start, so it's worth checking things out… Besides, I came to lend a hand to Jean Le Cam's team during their final preparations.»

His vision of the Vendée Globe
«The lads know they will have some difficult times. For me, it is the cool-headed sailor, who avoids any major technical problems that is likely to win… Some are so at ease on their boat that they can spend all their time navigating. Sailing the boat just comes naturally to them.»

The line-up for the Vendée Globe
«The boats are so close to each other in terms of performance that it wouldn't surprise me to see that it will all come down to the ability of the sailors to find the right trajectory… These boats are so well tested in comparison with previous races. Everyone appears to be ready. When you look at the line-up, you really feel that the question of confidence is essential, like experience. I think that those, who have already succeeded in major races, have an advantage over the others. My selection for the first four in random order: Peyron, Desjoyeaux, Riou, Le Cam… . »

This morning at ten, in the Palace Cinema in Les Sables d'Olonne, the thirty solo competitors who will tomorrow be lining up at the start at 13h02 (French time) attended their final briefing in front of the media.
They came on foot, by bicycle or by car. Alone or accompanied by TV cameras. The thirty sailors, many of whom had just had a haircut, listened to the final safety recommendations for the start. Some final technical points and the weather forecast were discussed. A few had some last minute official papers to sort out, before they were wished "Fair wind and a good Vendée Globe" by Philippe de Villiers, the President of the SEM Vendée organisers.
As requested by the skippers, Sylvie Viant, the President of the Race Committee, will be setting up the start line so that the thirty sailors can set off westwards on the port tack - the sailors have agreed to start on port, in order to avoid having to put in a rapid tack. The start sequence will begin at 12h54, eight minutes before the gun is fired at 13h02. The sixth Vendée Globe looks set begin with some very rough conditions forecast...

The skipper of Delta Dore gave a final press conference at one today in the Vendée Globe village.

Talking about his experience…
«I think that it is better to have had a lot of solo experience rather than round the word crewed experience. So I think I'm in with a chance.»

How his children see the round the world voyage
«I showed pictures of the boat to my two boys. For the five-year-old, sailing around the world means being with the dolphins. In general, if he does a picture of me on the boat, he draws a hoop so they can jump through it.»

What should spectators out on the water wear on Sunday for the start? «Boots, hoods and don't forget the medicine to avoid getting your clothes dirty...»

Weather around Les Sables d’Olonne is very wet and windy. The forecast for tomorrow’s start at 1302hrs (local/1202GMT) is for a SW’ly wind of between 15 and 20 knots, but that is due to increase fairly quickly in the afternoon to 30-35 knots with gusts up to 40 knots during the night. The sea state will be moderate at first, then rough and very rough during the night. After that the fleet will cross a cold front in the Bay of Biscay then they will have to tack maybe in the middle of Monday, then the wind will veer and decrease very quickly and from Cape Finisterre, then it will be lighter winds. (Sylvain Mondon, MeteoFrance, Race Meteorlogists)