Vendée Globe

November 09. 2008 at 11:21A crowded waterfront, a crowded sea

At eleven, Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) became the final competitor to leave Port Olona cheered on by a huge crowd on the waterfront in Les Sables d’Olonne. The French newsreader, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, who will signal the start of the sixth Vendée Globe at 13h02 (French time) came to wish the sailors well. Since early this morning, the emotion has been running high in the harbour, while the competitors are celebrated as heroes, as they prepare to set out on their circumnavigation.  Out on the water, the crowds are expected to turn up in force too, as more than a hundred passenger vessels have been chartered for the start, without counting the boats from the teams and the many smaller craft.

November 09. 2008 at 11:05Final farewell

Almost two hours since the first Open 60 slipped her lines, the last sailor to leave — Roland Jourdain on Veolia Environnement — was given a huge cheer as he set off after the 29 other boats down the canal. Sam Davies was the final Brit to depart, looking relaxed and happy she jumped around Roxy to wave goodbye from every angle, and the popular female skipper was given a tremendous send-off by the spectators packed along the docksides.

The deserted pontoons, which for the past month have been a hive of activity, are now the quietest part of Les Sables d'Olonne...

November 09. 2008 at 10:39Armada set off in pursuit

With today's weather and sea state not as severe as predicted, and just a handful of competitors yet to leave the pontoons in the race village, there is now a mass waterborne exodus from Les Sables d'Olonne. Besides the large sponsors' craft, it seems every ferry, fishing boat, RIB or pleasure craft in the area has been called into service and is now heading for the start area, with thousands of spectators expected to see the Vendée Globe away on the water.

November 09. 2008 at 10:18More than words

"What can I say, I'm about to set off around the world, and it says it all, doesn't it?" Sébastien Josse perfectly summed up the mood of this very special morning, torn between a smile and a tear, thick with emotion. At 9h20, he grabbed the helm as BT was leaving the dock, after having spent the last moments ashore with his team and family, exchanging looks that said more than words could ever express. Totally focussing on the challenge that awaits, Sébastien welcomed visits by his friends titleholder Vincent Riou, Jérémie Beyou and Isabelle Autissier, who perfectly knows what a Vendée Globe does to one's emotions. She approached Josse, kissed him on the cheek, did not utter a single word, smiled and left.
 

November 09. 2008 at 09:42Hugs and handprints

Alex Thomson was the next of the British skippers to leave the dock. The emotions of the day were clearly visible as Thomson fought to hold back the tears as his father cast off Hugo Boss's lines, with but was smiling and waving to the crowds lining the canal as he sailed out of port with Sir Keith Mills and Shirley Robertson onboard.

The ever-professional Mike Golding was clearly itching to get on with the job in hand, and calmly set off with Ecover 3, assisted by Bruno Dubois of North Sails France and the Ecover shore team. The team even had time to retrieve an errant bottle of Ecover product which had dropped into the sea!

Before leaving, Brian Thompson enjoyed some relaxed time with his family, playing with his children in the cockpit of Bahrain Team Pindar. Family and friends have decorated the coachroof of the boat with messages for Brian, whilst his children have added their handprints to accompany him on his journey

November 09. 2008 at 09:24Dee casts off first

British skipper Dee Caffari is the first sailor to cast off the dock at Les Sables d'Olonne. She and Aviva were sent off by Race Director Denis Horeau and Philippe De Villiers, president of the Vendée region, as well as a host of supporters.

November 09. 2008 at 08:39BBC, brushing up and a star

While Dee Caffari and Mike Golding were doing some final interviews with the BBC, with over three quarters of an hour to go before they cast off, Derek Hatfield was giving the deck of his 60-foot one final brush, while Jean-Pierre Dick was welcomed like a rock star by a crowd of supporters wearing the blue colours of his sponsors. So many different ways to get ready for a three month voyage around the world.

November 09. 2008 at 08:32A long procession of people

From first light, several hundred thousand people started to gather around the harbour entrance in Les Sables d’Olonne. On foot or by bicycle, by road or along the beach, this long procession stretches out for several kilometres. It is not easy to get a good seat in the harbour, so many turned up at six, while the first competitors will not be leaving until 9.30. Meanwhile the cameras are busy taking one more picture of the boats before they head out to sea. The magic of the Vendée Globe...

November 09. 2008 at 08:00A French actor...

Charles Berling, the French actor, who is the godfather of Marc Thiercelin's DCNS came to wish his sailor well.

November 09. 2008 at 07:54The emotion of the start

Jean-Pierre Dick before the start this Sunday: «I'm starting to feel the butterflies. The pressure is gradually but surely building. You say goodbye to your close ones trying to reassure them, You take a look at the latest weather charts. It's a strange day, as we're somewhere between the shore and the ocean. I'll be up early to get to my boat by eight. At 9h47,I'll be leaving the pontoon with four members of my shore crew. We'll be heading out through the harbour channel. That is a magical moment with thousands of people applauding, singing, chanting your name. It's going to highly emotional. A few minutes before the start, I'll be hugging my shore team before they go ashore on their Zodiac. Then, I'll be alone for the next three months... »