Vendée Globe

March 10. 2009 at 15:19Rich on the podium

Rich decided it would be right to make his speech in French.  Here are some of the highlights of what he said this afternoon on the podium.

"For me there are 2 Vendee Globes, the one fought at sea, where there were lots of great skippers, particularly French ones. And then the Vendée Globe on dry land. We have a new president, but if we look back to our third president, Thomas Jefferson, he was an Ambassador to France and was inspired by France. My experience confirms his beliefs. During the preparation for 4 months I was always encouraged by French people. They came and spoke to me on the pontoons or when I was preparing the boat. Their words of encouragement came back to me, when I was in one storm after another. I shall always remember how their words of encouragement helped me through those difficult times. And of all of the adventures, I'll especially remember my arrival back in France.
I was asked at the start, if I knew how tough it was going to be whether I would have taken part. I said I would reply afterwards. For me, this was not just a race, but something else too. It was all for my schools' programme, Sites Alive, so the difficulties were worth it for all the lessons and essays I sent back. This was an incredible race, particularly for Michel Desjoyeaux. We had some amazing e-mails from him during our voyage. "

March 10. 2009 at 14:22Rich heading for the harbour

Thousands of people have turned out to welcome Rich back to les Sables.  He is looking extremely tired and was rather reluctant to leave his cockpit and wave to the crowds.  

March 10. 2009 at 14:11Coming into the channel

Rich Wilson is heading into the channel now, and should reach the entrance in the next ten minutes. The pier heads are crowded with people waiting to welcome him in. He still has a deep reefed main at the moment and is just dropping it 500metres off the entrance. It is a little grey/gray and overcast now but Rich was lucky to finish in pleasant sunshine. It is pretty chilly again and he is fully wrapped up with a knitted hat on and full foul weather gear. And he is in the channel now and is on the foredeck acknowledging the cheers of the thousands of people who have turned out. He does look very tired but quietly elated.....

March 10. 2009 at 13:43Rich crosses the line

Rich in the cockpit as he crosses at 12h43 19s GMT  He remained completely passive as Sylvie Viant announced he had crossed the line

March 10. 2009 at 13:37Rich's family alongside

A mile and a half to the line.Surfing along nicely on 7-8 foot swell. Sisters and family are alongside.  Rich looking very pleased to see them.  Norbert Sedlacek's team are also out on the water to greet him.  His boat is not showing any obvious signs of damage

March 10. 2009 at 13:32Rich Wilson two and a half miles to the finish

One big spectator boat out.  Probably because of the weather and time, few spectators for the finish.    Friends and family approaching in a big RIB with stars and stripes lining up to be in the photo shots.  

March 10. 2009 at 13:24Rich Wilson approaching the finish

Rich is smiling from his cockpit and able to see the first boat come alongside.  Currently under staysail with double reefed main.  He is currently sailing at about ten knots towards the finish.  3.5 miles from the line.  Approaching directly from the west he can see the whole of Les Sables ahead of him.  The first 3 or 4 boats are approaching him and the first stars and stripes are being raised. 

March 10. 2009 at 13:067 miles to go

Conditions are pretty grim out on the water.  The media boats are just heading out to meet Rich Wilson.  The conditions are in fact similar to those experienced at the start, although the temperature is a few degrees higher. 

March 10. 2009 at 12:56Rich approaching Les Sables

The weather is dull and overcast with light rain.  The wind is 18-20 knots and the seas are short and rather unpleasant this morning off Les Sables. Rich is currently 8 or 9 miles from the finish

March 10. 2009 at 07:54Norbert feeling upbeat

"I just passed a container ship just 300 metres away. The AIS showed it was there and the alarm was triggered, but the distances are not being calculated. All of the plugs are rusty, so I think there's a loose contact. But the main thing is the alarm is working. At 7h30 this morning I was just 5 nautical miles from Corvo, the northwestern island in the Azores. I was able to see the sun rise over this final waypoint in the Vendée Globe. A great feeling because of the decent weather. I'm gliding along at high speed towards the finish and the only problem I have is the low-charge alarm which keeps ringing as my batteries don't seem to be able to charge properly. Apart from that I'm in finishing mode."

Norbert Sedlacek (Nauticsport-Kapsch) in his daily message yesterday evening