Vendée Globe

February 27. 2009 at 18:57PRB back in Brittany tomorrow

After setting sail from Ushuaïa on 31st January on board the Russian cargo vessel Peter Rönna, Vincent Riou's monohull will be back in Brittany tomorrow. She is due to be unloaded tomorrow evening at around 20h. From first light the next day, PRB's shore team will take her from Lorient around to Port La Forêt, which should take around 6 hours, as the voyage is around thirty miles. Late on Sunday morning, PRB should be back in her home base, where she will undergo a minor refit next week.

February 27. 2009 at 15:05Derek Hatfield sets sail again

At 22.00hr GMT yesterday Derek Hatfield departed Hobart, Tasmania on the reconditioned IMOCA 60 Algimouss Spirit of Canada. The Canadian, forced to retire from the Vendée Globe because of damage to his spreaders, is determined to sail his boat back to the North Atlantic.

February 27. 2009 at 14:20Minor refit for Ecover 3

Harry McGougan has joined Mike Golding as Technical Team Manager/Boat Captain. He joins the team after working alongside Alex Thomson for the past two editions of the Vendee Globe. He will immediately set to work on the minor refit that is planned for Ecover 3 in Gosport. A few small modifications will be made and she will be given a new paint job before being relaunched. The replacement mast, which is currently stored at JMV in Cherbourg will arrive in Gosport on the 5th March. Meanwhile Ecover 3’s carbon keel has just arrived at JMV and is currently being surveyed. It did not actually fail, but there are cracks appearing on the keel head which need to be explored fully. On completion of the work the yacht will be launched and fully sail tested to ensure that rig, keel and all modifications are in order.

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.