Newswire : From one champion to another

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February 01. 2009 at 20:45From one champion to another

"A truly remarkable performance. Michel did well in every area. He managed to do everything it takes to achieve a victory: a well prepared boat, few mistakes during the race and he was destined to succeed. You don’t ask questions in such cases. He quite naturally won. Simply because he was the best!” - Vincent Riou

February 01. 2009 at 20:01Brian's reaction to Desjoyeaux's victory

“Today is Mich Desj day. He finished earlier today, to indicate what a big deal this is and how big sailing is in France, I have been told that his finish was live on 3 terrestrial TV channels – for 2 hours. What an incredible impression Mich has made on this Vendée. After having won 8 years ago, the only way to top that was to give everyone a head start and still win, and that’s exactly what happened! He was relentless in catching up and then consolidating his lead. He is a great champion, and in the world of sailing his talents in single handed racing are just as exceptional as those of Russell Coutts in the America’s Cup and Ben Ainslie in the Olympic arena. It’s been amazing to watch and also exciting and challenging to see how much more achievable work there is to be done to get to his level in both personal performance and boat performance. The only person who was able to keep up the pace for a long period was Bilou, and in an older, though very fast and well tested boat, his performance was exceptional as well. I really hope that after his keel failure the weather allows him to finish this Vendée, though it won’t be easy for him in his 60 foot dinghy with a lot of Northerly winds coming over his route. Certainly Armel should sail calmly into 2nd place before the finish, but no one can doubt Bilou’s achievements and abilities, whatever the outcome.”
Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) commenting on Mich’s win

February 01. 2009 at 19:20Sam's reaction

“Every time I have been asked who my sailing hero is, I answered Mich (as everybody calls him) Desjoyeaux. I now think that many more people will understand why. He was always my favourite to win the race so I felt sad for him three months ago when straight away after the start he had to turn back for repairs. But I always knew that it wouldn’t be enough to stop ‘Mich the machine’! Roxy and I have a special connection with him because my old lady is no other than the boat he won the race in for the first time eight years ago. Mich and I have been communicating by email through the race and it has been very important for me. In hard times, a little message from his Foncia would come to Roxy and encourage me and give me motivation. He has inspired me and I always try my best in his wake. Mich has just showed again what the sailing world already knew, he is one of the world’s best sailors of all time.”
Sam Davies (Roxy) commenting on Michel Desjoyeaux’s win

February 01. 2009 at 15:52ETA 15h15 GMT

Michel Desjoyeaux is due to finish at 15h15 GMT, after just over 84 days and three hours of racing

February 01. 2009 at 15:15Foncia 75 minutes away

At 14h15 GMT, Foncia was sailing at just over ten knots, 8 miles from the Barges Lighthouse, which means Michel Desjoyeaux is likely to cross the finishing line in around an hour and a quarter.

February 01. 2009 at 14:31Foncia off the island of Yeu

At 13h30 GMT, Michel Desjoyeaux was spotted south of the island of Yeu: the skipper of Foncia is therefore still due to reach Les Sables d’Olonne between 16h30-17h00. Sailing upwind on the port tack under staysail with one reef in the mainsail, he is averaging around ten knots in a 25-knot wind.

February 01. 2009 at 14:03The crowds await

The harbour walls around the entrance to the port of Les Sables d’Olonne as well as the quayside in la Chaume are beginning to fill up this afternoon. Several thousand people are waiting, in spite of the bitter cold easterly wind in Vendée. Just off the shore outside of the harbour entrance, several boats are making their way out to greet Michel Desjoyeaux.

February 01. 2009 at 11:14Bilou in the Azores tomorrow

Roland Jourdain, who has been sailing without a keel since Thursday morning, is due to arrive in the Azores on Monday morning. Bilou has not yet decided whether he will be forced to retire or whether he will be able to continue his race to Les Sables d’Olonne. In case it becomes necessary for him to retire, two members of his shore team, Nicolas de Castro and Luis Guervos, are on their way to Ponta Delgada. Roland is currently sailing at 4.2 knots simply under staysail.

February 01. 2009 at 11:05Foncia tacking upwind this afternoon

Yesterday afternoon, Michel Desjoyeaux crossed the ridge of high pressure and his progress was halted during the night for a few hours. This morning his speed has picked up again. In the 10h00 GMT rankings, Foncia was sailing at ten knots and is a mere 45 miles from Les Sables d’Olonne. However, he will have to deal with headwinds for a few hours. According to the latest information from Météo France, he is likely to be sailing in south-easterly winds, which will be backing easterly and strengthening to 20-25 knots around midday. This means that he will have to tack upwind with several changes of tack necessary.

February 01. 2009 at 08:02Live coverage this afternoon

Michel Desjoyeaux is set to finish this afternoon thus winning his second Vendée Globe. You can follow the finish live on the website: the crossing of the finishing line by Foncia, the entrance into the harbour in Port Olona, followed by Michel Desjoyeaux stepping ashore and climbing onto the podium in Les Sables d'Olonne. Half an hour or so after this, you will also be able to watch the press conference. Michel will be talking about his race and answering questions from the press.