After her successful Vendée Globe race and a celebratory trip up the Thames through Tower Bridge, Aviva is now in need of some TLC and this week the refit period started in earnest. On Wednesday, the shore team removed Aviva’s mast and Thursday saw the keel taken off and the boat hoisted out of the water in Gosport.  Aviva will spend several weeks in the shed being taken apart and fully inspected. The key mechanical components will be sent back to their manufacturers to be serviced. Once all the checks and servicing has taken place, the team will put Aviva back together again in readiness for her next challenge – the Round Britain and Ireland all female record taking place in June.

Steve White is back in England after completing his Vendée Globe on 26th February. For the delivery trip on Toe in the Water he was accompanied by one of the soldiers benefiting from the services of the charity, Toe in the Water, which helps wounded servicemen. Steve was welcomed back to Gosport by Dee Caffari, Brian Thompson and Alex Thomson, who understand just how much of a personal achievement this was for Steve, whose budget was so much smaller than theirs. For White, it is great o be back in England, but "the work isn't over yet. In fact it's just beginning. As I get planning for the next Vendee Globe in 2012 our thoughts will turn to securing sponsors and building a new boat."
 

Raphaël Dinelli is expected in Les Sables d'Olonne on Saturday.

Norbert Sedlacek is due to cross the finish line on Sunday or Monday.

Work on Safran is due to be completed in late April. She is undergoing what is described as an "ordinary refit", apart from the repairs concerning the keel and mast. Her first keel was sent to a specialist company in Italy, where it will be fitted with a new head. Meanwhile, a new bulb is being built in Spain. It will all be put together in the Larros boat yard and is due to be delivered in late April. As for the repairs to the mast following the damage to the mainsail track, the whole surface was consolidated using composites and strengthened around the reefing points. The repairs to the mast will be carried out in France. The boat is undergoing a thorough check-up with everything being taken apart and examined, and if necessary replaced. To finish, the team will be giving the hull a coat of paint, which is going to take some time, as there is a huge surface to sand down. The goal is to finish by the end of April, after a refit lasting two months.

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. "

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.