Vendée Globe

February 07. 2009 at 09:3510 minutes to go...

Race Director, Denis Horeau expressed his satisfaction at the presence of crowds, as he believes Armel fully deserves this magnificent welcome. Armel says a lot of boats around so thinks it will take ten minutes to sail final two miles.  The fleet has been asked to slow and let him clear the line.  Nouch Buoy in sight...

February 07. 2009 at 09:23Less than 3 miles to go

Brit Air is sailing directly into the morning sun, the line is on the horizon. Behind it the long sandy beach of Les Sables.  Less than 3 miles to go...

Armel is pacing the deck like the caged jackal, stopping every few seconds on a different spot to wave to the media and spectators, foredeck, cockpit, stern, deck again, and a wave to the helicopters overhead.  The sea is wintery green blue with wind whipping on the white horses.  Boat looks in good nick, other than the loss of the protective hood at back of coachroof.  He has the spectator boat only 15m off his beam and aboard they are going wild, jumping and waving as we close the line.  The first flares are lit off the spectator boat 2 mins to line.......

February 07. 2009 at 09:12A triumphant wave

Armel is just moving gently along. Main is eased at the moment.  Le Cleac'h is back on deck now and has eased the bow down to pick up a little speed for the media.  Three boats out with him now.  He is sailing downwind now and is on the end of his outrigger putting sponsor flags out.  Stunning pictures in the morning sunshine, shimmering gold of his mainsail as he surfs along now about 9 knots.  he is on the foredeck now acknowledging the fleet out here, with a triumphant wave, the moments he will treasure as he can just about see the finish line, he looks relaxed and happy.

and now on the bow...arms aloft just drinking in this beautiful morning as his Brit Air just pops her bow to surf from time to time, his finish is like he raced, prudent and consistent...big spectator boat is just arriving now......

February 07. 2009 at 08:57Final minutes for Armel

He can clearly make out the silhouette of Les Sables d’Olonne on his horizon and the tall light houses either side of the channel entrance glistening white in the morning sunshine, he will have had a long night but this last forty minutes all the tiredness and stress will wash away, being greeted in the next few minutes by Denis Horeau race director on the Beneteau Antares for race direction, one of a fleet of 14 provided by the giant Vendee based boatbuilders.

He is not moving very quickly at all just four or five knots as the first official boats reach him.

February 07. 2009 at 08:48Armel in sight

 Fantastic minutes now for Armel as he ses the first media boats arriving to greet him, two miles away, lovely sunny morning, breeze 16 knots from the NW, choppy big swell, the end really is in sight for hime now.  He has three reefs in and no headsail.  

February 07. 2009 at 08:39Armel slowing as he approaches

The swell is bigger now out near the line, Le Cleac'h is making just five knots, slowing as much as he can to limit the time he has to sit around and wait for the tide to let him in the harbour entrance channel. But the sun is coming up now and he will be enjoying a watery winter sunrise as his last morning at sea.  Breeze is 18-20 knots now.  Eight miles from the finish at 7 35 gmt

February 07. 2009 at 08:21The media and spectators heading out

Suffering some horrendous conditions over the past 4 days, Armel Le Cléac’h did not ease of during the night and is on the final stretch to les Sables d’Olonne. Initially expected at around 10h00 GMT he is now due to cross the line at around 08h00 in spite of damage to his mainsail car. The media and spectator boats are heading out now to meet Armel Le Cleach who is around one hour from the finish line. It is a grey dawn before the sun has risen yet but the skies are clearing with high puffy clouds, signalling it should be pleasant weather. So far it is business as usual on the canal side, just a few people out, Breeze is westerly at 15-18 knots just outside the harbour. Sea is a long, gentle swell with a little choppy surface.

February 07. 2009 at 07:55Learning the hard way

“Well, my fears have been confirmed, that my Easterly option is not the best one! Since making the decision, when the forecasts showed I would get around the high to the East, the high pressure decided otherwise, stretching out East quickly, and, already committed, my only option was to pass under it and accept the consequences to get as quickly as possible into the Westerly winds! So last night Roxy and I have been "parked up" as the high passes over. It is very very frustrating, but as it is a consequence of my decision, I must deal with it! I had been hoping for a little zephyr to keep moving with, but no luck! Fortunately there have been a lot of little jobs and checks to do before the final sprint downwind to Les Sables, so I kept myself busy yesterday afternoon and now Roxy is ready for the fun downhill ride! I have managed to get some sleep too, which is not easy when there is no wind! Now the first puffs of wind are coming back and I am ready for a hard morning of "wind catching" as we continue the painfully slow progression towards the breeze. As I said, this one's a lesson I'm learning the hard way, and I keep “apologising to Roxy for having slowed her down unneccessarily!”
Sam Davies (Roxy) in her daily message
 

February 07. 2009 at 07:50Armel steps up the speed

Armel Le Cléac’h has accelerated this morning and is ahead of his ETA. It now looks like he will be crossing the finishing line between 08h00 and 08h30 GMT after 89 days and around 20 hours at sea.

February 07. 2009 at 07:46Marco accelerates

In the 04h00 rankings, Marc Guillemot was sailing at more than 15.5 knots, while Samantha Davies was stopped in the high at 1.1 knots! In under 24 hours Marco has won back 260 miles and was only 0.5 miles behind Sam in terms of distance to the finish!