Vendée Globe

February 27. 2009 at 11:14Tough on the boat and skipper

"The wind is more on the beam now, but we're still slamming. For four or five days now, we've really been hammering into the waves, making this stretch particularly tricky. I'm looking forward to getting away from this area, as it's hard on the boat and tough for me mentally. At least we're moving, so I mustn't grumble too much. When I came out of the Doldrums, I was faced with a northerly wind, so had to head off westwards and now the wind has veered, I'm still heading into the wind as I come around. I'm waiting for the next lot of weather charts to see how I can deal with the Azores. The North Atlantic is not looking very simple as there's a high over the Bay of Biscay and another one to my north, which will offer lighter winds and there's another one arriving from the west quite some way north. So I'm going to have to weave my way between these systems by the look of things. I've never seen so many high pressure areas in the North Atlantic. My shore team is already getting ready, and if I manage to work my way around the Azores high, I'm expecting to finish around 14th-15th March. For the moment, I'm trying not to think about it too much and just making sure the boat is sailing well. I'm thinking a lot too about the Foundation and all the useful info we can get from this floating lab. I think that so far, this mission has gone well."
Raphaël Dinelli (Fondation Océan Vital) on today's radio session
 

February 27. 2009 at 10:01The Vendée Globe on TV in Britain

The first episode of a five part series on the Vendee Globe will be shown on the British TV channel, Channel 4 tomorrow morning at 07h30 GMT. The series concentrates on the British entrants and includes footage filmed by the sailors themselves, as well as the highlights of the race. Tomorrow's programme deals with the preparations by the British skippers. From next week, the programme takes up a regular slot on Channel Four on Saturday mornings at 07h30 GMT.

February 27. 2009 at 09:34Latest ETAs

Based on this morning's weather charts and positions, Météo France has come up with the following ETAs for the next three boats.

- Great American III: from 12h00 GMT on Thursday 5th March to 00h00 on Saturday 7th March
- Fondation Océan Vital: between 8th and 10th March
- Nauticsport-Kapsch: between 12th and 14th March
 

February 27. 2009 at 08:22Photos of Steve finishing

You can view all the pictures of Steve White's finish in the media section (photos) or by clicking here.

February 26. 2009 at 21:34Norbert back in the north

"I crossed the Equator at 01:29 GMT. Now I have to sail upwind in the NE'ly trade winds. There are around 1700 miles to sail to reach an imaginary waypoint to the west of the Azores, to get around the Azores high. After that it will be straight for Les Sables d'Olonne."

Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch) in his daily message

February 26. 2009 at 15:25Toe in the Water arriving in the canal

And thousands of people are out ot greet Steve White, incredible. Both sides of the canal are teeming with people and White looks almost reluctant, not quite knowing where to look but he is going to love it just the same, he has the flares lit on the foredeck and is accepting the applause and cheers with a huge smile and waving as much as he can. A perfect end to his race. He had two packets of custard creams this morning.

And a big banner saying 'Thanks Steve, you have made us dream' on the left bank as he comes in. And Cali, Arnaud Boissieres is in a RIB alongside adding his best wishes.

February 26. 2009 at 13:36Steve finishes

And Steve White finishes his Vendee Globe in eighth place at 13:38:55  local time, not quite knowing what to do, no jumping about, just a quiet smile and a wave to everyone. Incredible. He just looks very relaxed.

February 26. 2009 at 13:33Alongside Steve White

Less  than half a mile to go to South Nouch and the finish line, the final minutes of Steve's Vendee Globe and Toe in the Water heels to a big gust and is charging to the finish.

February 26. 2009 at 13:22Alongside Steve White

Hand in his pocket White looks almost emabrassed at the welcome, but he looks very relaxed, his hair is long but he seems to have shaved for the occasion, not sure what with but not cooking oil one would hope since his wife Kim warned him that she would not come near him if he finished smelling like a chip. There are few boats which have arrived back from the Vendee Globe in better shape than they left, but his boat looks just shipshape and tidy, he his trimming the gennaker for a few extra knots. He held his elbow a little when waving, but has bent to the task of grinding to furl the gennaker as the wind heads. His kids have just arrived alongside with Kim in a yellow RIB.  They have big plastic feet to wave, for the Toe in the Water charity. He has slowed now but the beaches of Les Sables d'Olonne are shimmering just three miles or so away, and Steve has rolled out his staysail now to sail the last mile or so to the line.

February 26. 2009 at 13:13Alongside Steve White

And Steve White will finish at a canter, after the long battle against light winds and headwinds Toe in the Water is under full mainsail and gennaker moving along very nicely toeards the finish less than three miles away, doing eight knots. The media boats are alongside now on this beautiful afternoon, with just a light NE'ly breeze. White is delighted to have company, to see friends and family at last. He looks well, the boat looks well and he is ready to finish in the next 30 minutes.