 |
|
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
Vendee Globe Sedlacek: The Terminator closes the Vendee GlobeAustrian sailors have made their mark in Olympic sailing in recent years, winning medals in the Tornado, windsurfer and Laser classes but Norbert Sedlacek set a new ocean racing record for landlocked nation when he became the first Austrian to complete a solo non-stop round the world passage when he finished the epic sixth edition of the Vendée Globe in 11th place.more....
Vendee Globe: Pacific brothers in arms to return at the weekendRaphael Dinelli (Fondation Océan Vital) and Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Nauticsport-Kapsch) continue to return good average speeds and they head for the finish, which they are expected to reach this weekend.more....
Vendee Globe: Rich Wilson finishes ninthCrossing the finish line off Les Sables d’Olonne at 12h43min19sec GMT, Rich Wilson completed the 28 590.2, miles Vendée Globe solo non-stop round the world race in ninth place, completing a highly creditable result which is testament to his excellent seamanship skills, deep determination, careful planning and prudent execution, staying the distance to finish this incredible edition of the race which has claimed the highest attrition rate yet.more....
Vendée Globe: Rich picking off the homeward milesRich Wilson’s last weekend at sea on his Vendée Globe looks set to be quick and relatively productive as he finally rides favourable winds back towards the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne which he should reach on Monday.more....
Vendée Globe: Double trouble for DinelliWhile Raphael Dinelli broke his boom yesterday and last night sustained what is believed to be a cracked rib, Rich Wilson has finally managed to bring his Great American III bow east and is heading more directly towards the Les Sables d’Olonne finish line of the Vendée Globe.more....
Vendée Globe: Dinelli catching WilsonFor Rich Wilson it is very much a case of two steps forward one and a half steps back today as he negotiates a very robust high pressure system dominating the North Atlantic.more....
Vendée Globe: Three left on the courseWhile the revellers who enjoyed the arrival of Steve White contemplate the typical ‘day after the night before’ effects in Les Sables d’Olonne, three skippers are still on course and making steady progress towards the Vendée Globe finish line.more....
Vendée Globe: Steve White speaksIt will take some time to sink in what I have done, I suppose, but at the moment it just feels like I have been on a long sailing holiday - I never thought that I might not finish, there were some difficult times when I had to deal with different things on the boat, but you do what you have to do. At times it was frustrating with an older boat to keep it going, but also I was very lucky.more....
Vendée Globe: Steve White eighth finisherFinally triumphing after a frustrating duel with the prolonged easterly headwinds in the Bay of Biscay, British solo skipper Steve White sailed his Open 60 Toe in the Water across the finish line at Les Sables d'Olonne's South Nouch mark this afternoon at 12 H 38min 55sec GMT to take a commendable eighth place in the Vendée Globe solo round the world race.more....
Vendée Globe: First timer just hours from finishingSteve White is due in to Les Sables d’Olonne on Thursday morning French time, and after a battle with the Bay of Biscay’s contrary easterly winds, he is more than ready to complete his remarkable race and collect eighth place, outlasting many fancied, more famous skippers.more....
Vendée Globe: White’s close encounter with a shipBritish yachtsman Steve White (Toe in the Water) had a close encounter with a cargo ship last night, which he admits was a little too close for comfort, as he sailed in busy shipping traffic off Cape Finisterre.more....
Vendée Globe: Frustrations and mast crack worriesSteve White is fighting the angles today as he beats upwind to try to make best time to the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne to secure eighth place in the Vendée Globe.more....
Vendée Globe: Boissières finishes seventhAt 14h35'50' GMT today (Sunday 22nd February) Arnaud Boissières, the skipper of Akena Vérandas, crossed the finish line of the 2008-2009 Vendée Globe in seventh place after 105 days 02 hours 33 minutes and 50 seconds of racing averaging 11.04 knots and covering 27,841 miles.more....
Vendée Globe: Boissières almost homeArnaud Boissières had less than 70 miles to sail to the Vendée Globe finish today, and was still making nearly seven knots, keeping him on target to arrive for a triumphant return up the channel in Akena Véranda’s home port of Les Sables d’Olonne on Sunday afternoon local time.more....
Vendée Globe: Arnaud Boissières set for Sunday finishAs the skipper of one of the three boats which are based out of Les Sables d’Olonne, along with Raphael Dinelli’s Fondation Océan Vital and Nobert Sedlacek’s Nauticsport-Kapsch – which was kept in the Vendée port for many months before the start – Arnaud Boissières will be accorded a huge welcome as he returns to his home patch, due to pass the South Nouch buoy and the finish line some time on Sunday local time.more....
Vendée Globe: Slow dance to the finishAs his long race comes towards the end, the weather gods have not smiled down kindly on Arnaud Boissières a slow afternoon looks like following into slow night, a slow Friday and a slow weekend, the final 400 nautical miles seeming a light year away.more....
Vendée Globe: Long slow beat to Boissières’ finishArnaud Boissières should be the next skipper to finish the Vendée Globe later this weekend, or perhaps early Monday, nearly a week after the triumphant arrival of the latest finisher, Dee Caffari, whom he sailed the Southern Oceans with.more....
Vendée Globe: And then there were five…Every mile sailed is a mile closer to the finish, and every day – good or bad – should mean getting nearer Les Sables d’Olonne, but for the five skippers racing on in this Vendée Globe, day 100 on the course brings a very different range of emotions.more....
Vendée Globe: Dee Caffari’s first wordsThere were people there waving and saying hello and I thought that was pretty cool and then a random motor cruiser came up and shouted: “Go Dee,” and I thought, “wow, I’m close to the finish now,” then when everybody came out towards me, I knew there would be some ribs and stuff, but this sight was brilliant - and it’s such a gorgeous day.more....
Vendée Globe: Historic finish for Dee CaffariBritish yachtswoman Dee Caffari made history today when she became the first woman to sail around twice around the world in different directions, both against and now with the prevailing winds and currents.more....
Vendée Globe: Brian Thompson’s first wordsIt’s brilliant, what a day, what a beautiful day sun’s out, great seas, it’s amazing - I’ve been fighting to stay ahead of Dee (Dee Caffari, AVIVA) the whole time and keeping my keel problem a secret, and last night the ram broke and disengaged from the keel.more....
Vendée Globe: Brian Thompson finishes in fifth placeBritish sailor Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) crossed the Vendée Globe finish line of Les Sables d'Olonne this morning at 08 hrs31min55sec GMT to secure a very creditable fifth place in the solo non-stop around the world race which started on Sunday November 9th.more....
Vendée Globe: Guillemot speaksThe last week was very stressful and crossing the line was a great relief and the stress of the race all came out at that point - there was the sporting element which interested me - the adventure wasn’t really my thing.more....
Vendée Globe: Dream third place for Marc GuillemotMarc Guillemot (Safran) crossed the Les Sables d'Olonne finish line at 01h21min36sec GMT tonight (Sunday) to clinch a hard won third place in this epic sixth edition of the Vendée Globe solo non-stop around the world race.more....
Vendée Globe: Guillemot on track to nab thirdMarc Guillemot (Safran) should finish his epic Vendée Globe this evening, ready to collect a well deserved third place and for all that he will enjoy the result, he is perhaps the skipper of the 30 that started who returns to Les Sables d’Olonne with the richest store of unique memories from this race.more....
Vendée Globe: Three set for thrilling finishThe morning was cold, the welcome was warm and spontaneous as befitted the arrival of Sam Davies on Roxy, the young British soloist who leant her unique light touch and a formidable performance to what might otherwise be remembered as a difficult war of attrition won by the seemingly unstoppable Michel Desjoyeaux.more....
Vendée Globe: More from Sam DaviesHow was she affected when other skippers pulled out with damage? “Even after the start on the Day 2 after the 3 boats dismasted I slowed down for sure and I noticed the whole fleet did, and it brings home how fragile we are and there are many things beyond our control, and it takes on e thing to go wrong and the whole race is over, and when something happens to someone else you imagine it to yourself in the situation.'more....
Vendée Globe: Davies celebrates – next three in race-offWhile Les Sables d’Olonne is ready to give a huge, warm welcome to Sam Davies this bitterly cold St Valentine’s morning, the clock is ticking all the time for Marc Guillemot, who now needs to finish by 02:41:01 on Monday morning to clinch third place.more....
Vendée Globe: Sam Davies speaks“I have just sailed around the world - it's amazing - it was an incredible finish, pretty full on.'more....
Vendée Globe : Davies makes finish on Valentine’s DayBritish sailor Samantha Davies (Roxy) crossed the finishing line at 00hrs 41mins 01 secs GMT as the third competitor to complete this epic sixth edition of the Vendée Globe solo non-stop around the world race and return to Les Sables d'Olonne.more....
Vendée Globe: Davies will finish todayBritish yachtswoman Sam Davies (Roxy) is likely to break the finish line to the Vendée Globe around 0200hrs local time today (Saturday), crossing the line in third place after nearly 97 days at sea.more....
Vendée Globe: Davies close to finish while Sedlacek strugglesSam Davies (Roxy) has less than 203 miles to complete her remarkable Vendée Globe, and although she has slowed to less than five knots as the high pressure system finally caught up with her, the British yachtswoman leads Marc Guillemot (Safran) by 263, who despite the loss of his keel, holds his own this afternoon making 7.1 knots.more....
Vendée Globe: Davies or Guillemot third?There may be a romantic notion to a St Valentine’s day finish for Sam Davies on her pink Open 60 Roxy, but it could come to more as weather predictions run now, if Davies finishes ahead of Marc Guillemot (Safran), she will have to wait to see if Guillemot –with no keel and a double reefed mainsail - can finish within his 50 hours of time credit and win third place – or will it be her?more....
Vendée Globe: Davies’ Valentine’s wishThe gregarious British yachtswoman, Sam Davies (Roxy) overtook Marc Guillemot overnight, which was on the cards when the Frenchman’s keel fell of his Safran but never-the-less, he is not mucking about, heading for the finish in Les Sables d’Olonne, making the most of the moderate winds to push Safran a little this afternoon, making 11 knots, now 73 miles behind Davies.more....
Vendée Globe: Final blow - Guillemot loses keelA keel problem that has been worrying Marc Guillemot since the Azores deteriorated yesterday after he attempted to make a temporary fix, securing the keel head with ropes to stop it slipping out of the Safran - this afternoon, local time, Guillemot was almost relieved to report that his keel had dropped out of the boat.more....
Vendée Globe: Two pairs in fight to the finishMarc Guillemot (Safran) looks set to propel to a third placed finish by brisk Atlantic winds, while his British rival Sam Davies (Roxy), has picked up speed and is racing to beat another high pressure system and hoping to be back in Les Sables d’Olonne before Valentine’s Day, 107 miles behind Guillemot.more....
Vendée Globe: Davies falls back – Caffari picks upArmel Le Cléac’h enjoyed blue skies and sunshine to welcome him back to Les Sables d’Olonne this Saturday morning as he crossed the finish line at 08:41hrs GMT to take second place in his first Vendée Globe, outlasting many of the favourites, to receive a warm welcome when thousands lined the famous canal.more....
Vendée Globe: Armel Le Cléac’h speaksHome in second place in the Vendée Globe, race rookie Armel Le Cléac’h happily gave an insight into his months at sea on Brit Air in the famous race and says he was not surprised the conditions were tough towards the end of the race – ‘It’s that time of year,” he said.more....
Vendée Globe: Huge crowd welcomes Le Cléac'h homeBreton race rookie Armel Le Cléac'h crossed the finishing line of the Vendée Globe this morning local time (Saturday 7 February) at 08H41’35”GMT, after a net race time of 89 days 9 hours and 39 minutes 35 seconds of racing, taking into account the 11 hours redress given by the International Jury for his participation in the rescue of Jean Le Cam.more....
Vendée Globe: Rookie Le Cleac'h crosses finish lineAfter 89 days and some hours at sea, a triumphant and proud Armel Le Cleac'h, in his first ever has crossed the Les Sables d’Olonne finish line in second place and here is how his final miles panned out.more....
Vendée Globe: No let-up for Cléac’hContinuing rough conditions across the Bay of Biscay have made this a long and stressful final week at sea for Armel Le Cléac’h on Brit Air, but he should finish early Saturday morning, with 132 miles still to sail at 1630hrs GMT this afternoon.more....
Vendée Globe: Race rookie set to finish secondBreton Vendée Globe rookie Armel Le Cléac’h is on the threshold of a great second place on Brit Air this afternoon as he passes Cape Finisterre, his latest ETA into Les Sables d’Olonne is Saturday, February 7th, between 7.00am GMT and 12.00pm GMT.more....
Vendée Globe: Everyone in the same oceanWhen Norbert Sedlacek became the first Austrian solo skipper in the history of the Vendée Globe to pass Cape Horn this afternoon (local time), it marked the safe return to the Atlantic waters of the remaining 10 boats racing.more....
Vendée Globe: Le Cléac’h within days of finishArmel Le Cléac’h is expected to finish Vendée Globe in second place at the end of the week in Les Sables d’Olonne, but the Brit Air skipper, faces one big night in the teeth in an Atlantic low pressure system, 40-45 knots with gusts to 60, and big seas., while Rich Wilson (Great American III) recovers from damaged link in his self steering gear and Norbert Sedlacek, AUT (Nauticsport Kapsch) is less than 200 miles from Cape Horn.more....
Vendée Globe: And then there were tenAfter the official abandonment of Roland Jourdain today and the finish Sunday of victorious Michel Desjoyeaux there are now 10 skippers left on the Vendée Globe course.more....
Vendée Globe: Jourdain outAfter 84 days of racing, and in second place since December 16, Roland Jourdain took the hard decision this morning to bring his Vendée Globe to an end and stop at the Azores after losing part of his keel last Thursday.more....
Vendée Globe: Huge crowd welcomes its heroOver 125,000 people gathered in Les Sables d’Olonne, France, on Sunday February 1 to witness and cheer on winning record breaking skipper Michel Desjoyeaux as he arrived home on French soil and the press were waiting with a hundred questions.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux speaksAfter finishing the Vendée Globe in France, Sunday Feb 1 local time, in record time, Michel Desjoyeaux gathered his thoughts and spoke to the press: “It's incredible, this little ray of sunshine is making it magical - I may have done it eight years ago, but it's still incredible - I can't take it in.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux finishes in record timeSailing a course distance of 28303 miles, averaging 14.02 knots, French solo skipper Michel Desjoyeaux has shattered the Vendée Globe solo round the world race record today on his way to becoming the first solo skipper ever to win this around the world race twice.more....
Vendée Globe: Les Sables d’Olonne ready to welcome DesjoyeauxLes Sables d’Olonne awaits the return of Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia), preparing to honour the undisputed victor of the sixth edition of the Vendée Globe who has an. ETA (at 1800 GMT) of between 1300hrs and 1900hrs GMT Sunday with approximately 195 nautical miles to sail to the finish line.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux on the home stretchTrue to the spirit of ‘Le Weekend’, Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) plans a day of rest and recovery as much as he can on Saturday, remaining vigilant, but trying to arrive in Les Sables d’Olonne as rested and relaxed as he can to face the inevitable media activity and excitement.more....
Vendée Globe: Keel damage puts Jordain in jeopardyRoland Jourdain reported to his shore team at around 0400hrs this morning that he had sustained damage to his keel and since then, has been making toward Sao Miguel in the east of the Azores islands, at between eight and 10 knots, with Veolia Environnement heavily ballasted and will make a fuller inspection there and assess his options.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux counts down the milesMichel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) has been taking more easy miles from Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) who was slowed by the Azores High Pressure system, and Jourdain may go on to curse his luck once again, as another light winds zone could form in front of him, another hurdle between him and the finish, as well as helping Armel le Cléac’h (Brit Air) close the gap.more....
Vendée Globe: Holiday time and a birthdayBefore they reach the chill of the Bay of Biscay and the northern European winter, these are the days that the leading Vendée Globe skipper cherishes rewards for surviving and even thriving in the Big South.more....
Vendée Globe: Rich Wilson around the HornAge is just another number to mathematician turned Vendée Globe racer Rich Wilson but the race’s oldest skipper rounded Cape Horn today around 1330hrs GMT.more....
Vendée Globe: Three into Northern HemisphereArmel Le Cléac’h became the third Vendée Globe skipper to pass into the Northern Hemisphere last night, with the top three still approximately equidistant apart, with Michel Desjoyeaux leading the charge past the Canary Islands, Roland Jourdain west of the Cape Verde Islands and Le Cléac’h just emerged from the Doldrums, the weather predictions point to there being few opportunities for change before the finish line in Les Sables d’Olonne.more....
Vendée Globe: Slowdown no problem for leaderStretching west from the Canary Islands a big, elongated high pressure system will slow Michel Desjoyeaux and he will lose time and miles, but there should be no threat to his overall standing.more....
Vendée Globe: Jordain frustrated as Caffari celebrates birthdayFrustrated, but never appearing bitter, Roland Jourdain has managed to maintain much more solid average speeds today, consistently between 10 and 11 knots on Veolia Environnement, as he feels his way into more settled, consistent north-easterly trade winds, while aboard Aviva, Dee Caffari celebrates her birthday with friends.more....
Vendée Globe: Gulf grows as the ‘Professor’ clears outNothing seems to stop the gains of Michel Desjoyeaux, who leads the Vendée Globe by more than 481 miles this afternoon, but he has once more confirmed that his round the world passage has been far from charmed, telling again, today, that he had dealt with an incident which could have put his race in jeopardy ‘just close the Pacific Gate’.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux streaks away but Jordain remains positiveMichel Desjoyeaux’s charge north is back on the rails as he reaches the first outposts of the north-easterly trade winds and while he may have been forced to shed 185 miles as he struggled through the Doldrums, the Professor has emerged across the Equator early this morning with a comprehensive lead.more....
Vendée Globe: Doldrums snare Desjoyeaux – Caffari soldiers onMichel Desjoyeaux has virtually ground to a halt, snared by the wider than usual Doldrums - and even before he reaches the Equator, his lead has been cut from 500 miles last night to 416 miles this afternoon, with Foncia languishing at 1.1 knots, while despite her damaged mainsail, Dee Caffari, (Aviva) has passed Arnaud Boissières (Akena Verandas) and is back up to seventh place.more....
Vendée Globe: All finally quiet on the western front!The Vendée Globe lead of Michel Desjoyeaux has increased further to 484.7 nautical miles over second placed Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement), with Foncia averaging 3.5 knots faster than the second placed skipper.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux lengthens his leadMichel Desjoyeaux’s lead has never been bigger since he has reached the south-easterly trade winds - since Thursday evening, Foncia’s skipper has added nearly 100 miles to his margin over Roland Jourdain and now leads by 373.5 nautical miles a lead never yet seen in this edition of the race.more....
Vendée Globe: Caffari and Boissières pass Cape HornEight boats are now in the Atlantic Ocean after Dee Caffari, GBR, (Aviva) and Arnaud Boissières (Akenas Vérandas) were the latest to pass Cape Horn today, after both sailed in a ‘holding pattern’ to avoid the worst of very stormy northerly winds now they are back on course as of this morning and early afternoon.more....
Vendée Globe: Trio prepare for worstAs Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) starts to extend his lead again, now 285 miles ahead of second placed Roland Jourdain, Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar), after rounding Cape Horn at 0315hrs this morning, is now expected to follow the strong advice of Meteo France, the Vendée Globe Course Direction and their Safety Consultant, to remain in the lee of Tierra del Feugo or the Islas de los Estados while the worst of a very vicious depression passes – and Dee Caffari, GBR (Aviva) and Arnaud Boissières (Akenas Verenda) are already following a safety-first strategy and are slowing to retain as much shelter as possible.more....
Vendée Globe: Mid field competitors warned to batten downWhilst to the east of Rio de Janeiro the leading duo are still making relatively slow progress as they struggle to escape into more solid breeze, what Meteo France has described as “the worst storm of this Vendée Globe” awaits the trio of Brian Thompson, Dee Caffari and Arnaud Boissières as they pass Cape Horn.more....
Vendée Globe: Punishing weather exacts further damageDee Caffari has reported that Aviva’s mainsail has been further damaged in 45-50 knot gales with gusts to 65 knots, but the British skipper will not be able to make any assessment until the winds drop after she, Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) and Arnaud Boissières (Akenas Vérandas), continue to be put through the mill with huge seas and brutal conditions as they struggle towards Cape Horn.more....
Vendée Globe: Pacific prepares unkind welcome for threeAs Michel Desjoyeaux widens the gap on his rivals, British skippers Dee Caffari (Aviva) and Brian Thompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) are facing up to one final brutal blow as the Pacific Ocean delivers a sting in the tail as they fight towards Cape Horn.more....
Vendée Globe: Davies rounds Cape HornEleven years after being dismasted in the hostile waters of the South Pacific as a fresh faced 23 year old youngster on Tracy Edwards' maxi cat, Sam Davies today achieved one of her dreams, rounding Cape Horn and in the meantime, the dismasted PRB was towed into Ushuaia yesterday.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux keeps up relentless paceThis edition of the Vendée Globe has proven markedly different from the last and unexpectedly so already this epic human adventure has seen 18 of the 30 skippers sidelined and 75% of the fleet are still in the Pacific Ocean, while Michel Desjoyeaux’s lead is now nearly 200 miles.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux leaves fleet in his wakeWith 12 boats left on the race course from the original 30 starters, Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) continues to increase his lead to 178 miles as second placed Roland Jourdain is forced to follow in the leader’s wake constrained by the narrow passage around the edge of a developing high pressure system.more....
Vendée Globe: Only 12 left racing as PRB makes landThis morning Vincent Riou and Jean Le Cam arrived in Puerto Williams, the remote Chilean Naval base, towed there aboard the dismasted PRB, Riou the latest have his Vendée Globe dreams taken away.more....
Vendée Globe: Carnage continues as PRB dismastsAt 1920 GMT, only a matter of an hour and 20 minutes since passing Cape Horn, Vincent Riou called his team to report that PRB has been dismasted both skippers, Riou and Le Cam, are safe and well.more....
Vendée Globe: Le Cam safe – Desjoyeaux holds his leadJean Le Cam spoke of his Cape Horn ordeal this morning, alongside Vincent Riou, who plucked him from the waters in a remarkable feat of seamanship from Riou’s IMOCA Open 60 PRB, which is making 10 knots this evening, with a compromised rig, towards the entry to the Beagle Channel and a rendezvous with Isabelle Autissier where Le Cam should be taken off, while at the front of the fleet, Michel Desjoyeaux is significantly quicker than his nearest rival, Roland Jourdain.more....
Vendée Globe: Le Cam rescuedJean Le Cam has been rescued and is safe and sound aboard PRB, but Vincent Riou’s yacht suffered damage in the process.more....
Vendée Globe: Le Cam aliveAfter a tense morning of waiting, there was huge relief for Vendée Globe organizers and competitors this afternoon with the news that Vincent Riou (PRB) had arrived at the scene of VM Matériaux’s capsize at 1421 (GMT) and made contact with Jean Le Cam inside the upturned hull.more....
Vendée Globe: Le Cam rescue teams set upFollowing Jean Le Cam's (VM Matériaux) distress call to his shore team this morning at 00h26 GMT, the Chilean and French International Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre) (MRCC) has been setting up a rescue operation using the resources available in the area.more....
NEWS FLASH - Vendée Globe: Le Cam in serious difficultiesAt 00h26 GMT Jean Le Cam informed his shore team that he was in distress two hundred miles west of Cape Horn.more....
Vendée Globe: Weather can’t please everyoneSmooth seas, easy sailing, even some sun skippers across the fleet were reporting a respite in conditions, but it has to be said, not all of them sounded that happy about it.more....
Vendée Globe takes its toll – Malbon outGreat Britain’s Jonny Malbon (Artemis) has this morning announced his decision to retire from the Vendée Globe due to the ongoing problems with his badly delaminating mainsail, leaving less than half the fleet that started the single-handed race competing as leader Michel Desjoyeaux powers towards a Cape Horn rounding tonight some time.more....
Vendée Globe: Day of diamonds and stonesFor the leaders, this Vendée Globe remains a race of speed and tactics, but for the chasing pack it’s now a race of attrition and the front duo are looking to reach Cape Horn, the last great ‘gateway’ of the course, in the next day or so.more....
Vendée Globe: Competitors prepare to batten the hatchesThe Pacific promises a sting in the tail for the leaders of the Vendée Globe, as it is expected the fleet, reduced to 16 following Jean-Pierre Dick’s retirement, will be hit by the most forceful depression since they entered the Forties more than a month ago.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux sets the pace - Dick retiresMichel Desjoyeaux leads by 64.6 miles from Roland Jourdain who continues to pace the leader as they head for Cape Horn 1400 miles ahead, while Sam Davies, GBR (Roxy) moves up to sixth now after taking over the position of Jean-Pierre Dick who has confirmed he will be retiring.more....
Vendée Globe: Dick loses port rudderAt around 1300hrs GMT, Vendee Globe skipper Jean-Pierre Dick suffered a collision with a solid object which is reported to have removed the port rudder and most of its assembly from the stern of his yacht Paprec-Virbac 2.more....
Vendée Globe: Cape Horn loomsWith around one week of sailing left in the Pacific Ocean for the leaders, there is now the opportunity to enjoy some fast sailing in more regular sea conditions, and even some sunshine as Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) remains the only one to continue to hang on to leader Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) who has lead for 14 consecutive days, longer than any other skipper in this remarkable sixth Vendée Globe.more....
Vendée Globe: Josse and Hatfield outGiven the damage that both had sustained, it was not a surprise when both Sebastien Josse and Derek Hatfield, CAN retired from the Vendée Globe today, but that in no way lessens the blow and while their preparations, pre-Vendee Globe experiences and budgets may have been worlds apart, both skippers sustained their damage in the same way, toppled by huge waves 3000 miles apart in different oceans - Hatfield in the Indian Ocean and Josse in the Pacific.more....
Vendée Globe: Generali lost at seaPositive news for injured Yann Eliès whose recovery is such that he will return to France on New Year’s Eve, but position reports for his IMOCA Open 60 ceased on December 26 and Generali is now considered lost at sea.more....
Vendée Globe: Algimouss Spirit of Canada limping to AustraliaWhile Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) looks to be making something of an escape at the head of the fleet at the Western Pacific gate, Canadian Derek Hatfield is limping towards Australia after suffering two broken spreaders sustained when his Algimouss Spirit of Canada was knocked down late on Saturday night – Hatfield is bruised but unharmed.more....
Vendée Globe: Low pressure - fast sailingA deep, malicious low pressure system in the south Pacific continues to send brutally testing conditions for the Vendée Globe leaders, but Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) steadily ekes out miles on second place Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement).more....
Vendée Globe: BT knocked downJean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) who was second in the 2004 Vendée Globe and a solo skipper never one to sugar coat it, described the conditions as ‘infernal’ during the morning’s live radio broadcast session, ironically speaking at almost the same time as Sébastien Josse (BT) was calling his shore team in the UK to tell them that he had been knocked flat by a huge wave.more....
Vendée Globe: Jourdain challenges DesjoyeauxIn the lead for nine days now, Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) is suffering from his decision to stay south of his nearest rival, Roland Jourdain the leader is currently heading north eastwards and having to sail high to pass the Ice Gate, which is affecting his speed.more....
Team Russia suspends racing in SingaporeTeam Russia today announced it has suspended racing upon arrival in Singapore at the end of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race due to insufficient funds to continue the campaign – a bleak Christmas prospect for the crew – any Santa’s out there?more....
Vendée Globe: Hounds hunt the foxMichel Desjoyeaux has been in the fast lane since December 16, but it looks like the speed limit has just been reduced - last night Foncia and Veolia Environment were slowed by a ridge of high pressure, and a pair of boats which have been fighting to stay with him are now hitting the accelerator hard whilst they still can.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux sets the paceVendée Globe leading pair Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) and Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environment) are now at 54 degrees south, still sailing in a south-easterly direction at 15-16 knots, past the imaginary halfway mark of the race.more....
Vendée Globe: Elies arrives in PerthThe frigate HMAS Arunta, with rescued sailor Yann Elies aboard, arrived in Fremantle this morning at 3h10 GMT where Elies was met by members of the Generali team before being immediately transferred to the Royal Perth Hospital.more....
Yann Eliès rescued by Australian NavyThese pictures, taken by Commonwealth of Australia personnel, show the dramatic rescue of Vendée Globe entrant Yann Eliès (who has allegedly broken his left femur and some ribs), from his Open 60 Generali.more....
Vendée Globe: Desjoyeaux makes hay while the sun shinesMichel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) found the Indian Ocean amenable, but will the Vendée Globe leading skipper find the Pacific Ocean an easy promenade, or will his adversaries manage to close the gap again?more....
Vendée Globe: Relief for Elies and on with the raceThere was a collective sigh of relief across the Vendée Globe fleet this morning, with the news that Yann Elies had been successfully picked up by the Australian Navy frigate, the HMAS Arunta and every skipper in this morning’s live radio broadcast expressed their excitement at the news, none more so than Marc Guillemot, who had been standing by Elies and gave a first-hand account of the rescue live on air.more....
Vendée Globe: Australian frigate rescues EliesYann Elies, the skipper of Generali who broke his left femur on December 18, has been successfully transferred to the Australian Navy’s HMAS Arunta, an Anzac Class frigate.more....
Vendée Globe: Eliès’ rescue imminentMichel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) leads the fleet at 45.2 nautical miles ahead of Roland Jourdain (Veolia) the leader 115 miles from the transition from the Indian into the Pacific Ocean at 1430 GMT, while rescue plans to help Yann Eliès (Generali) are well underway.more....
Vendée Globe: Guillemot standing by injured Yann ElièsWhile Michel Desjoyeaux continues to lead the Vendée Globe, Marc Guillemot (Safran) arrived on station close to the injured Yann Eliès (Generali) last night between 2230hrs and 2300hrs GMT and has been as close to Eliès’ Open 60 as a 100 metres, but has since been keeping a safe distance, one to two miles off, sailing a parallel course.more....
Vendée Globe: Frontrunners make hay while the sun shinesLeader Michel Desjoyeaux, now 36.5 miles ahead of Roland Jourdain, remains typically sanguine, almost aloof his reports vary between the brutally straight-forward, making it sound easy, or rich with hidden meanings, but the reality he reported this morning is that he has not seen more than 42 knots of wind.more....
Vendée Globe: Golding gutted – Desjoyeaux new leaderAfter leading the Vendée Globe for just around six hours, one vicious squall of nearly 50 knots took down Mike Golding’s mast this morning and In less than two short minutes, the British skipper’s seemingly cursed luck had struck again and the race which he has spent four years preparing for was over - the toll in the Indian Ocean has proven fearsome.more....
Vendée Globe: Mike Golding dismastsHaving only just taken the overall lead in the Vendée Globe British solo skipper Mike Golding was cruelly dismasted in the Indian Ocean this morning at 0647 hrs GMT reporting to Race HQ shortly afterwards that the rig of Ecover 3 had collapsed when he was caught in winds of over 55 knots, he is about 940 miles south-west of Perth, Australia.more....
Vendée Globe: Mike Golding takes the leadMike Golding, GBR (Ecover 3) has taken the lead in the Vendée Globe, leading by 30 miles to Jean Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2), who is slowed by rudder damage while Golding’s pursuers are close to record pace - Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) polled at 466.6 miles in 24 h, by 5h50 GMT this morning averaging 19.4 knots, just 2.1 miles shy of Alex Thomson’s 2003 24h record.more....
Vendée Globe: Dick vows “I will fight to stay in the race”Vendée Globe leader Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac) 2 reported early this afternoon that he had suffered a high speed collision with a floating object and badly damaged the mechanism at the head of his rudder.more....
Vendée Globe: Leader Dick in violent collisionVendée Globe leader Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac) is sailing at reduced speeds after a violent collision with an unidentified object in the water the collision causing the starboard rudder to kick up.more....
Vendée Globe: Cheminées Poujoulat agroundCheminées Poujoulat entered Morbihan Bay in 40-45 knot winds on Sunday evening, but in spite of the help that was given to him, Bernard Stamm was unable to moor up where a buoy had been set up for him while using his engine, the assistance of a RIB and the help of Dominique Wavre onboard.more....
Vendée Globe: Leaders prepare to batten the hatchesA solid lead for Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac) looks to be established as the fleet leaders prepare for a bigger storm which should challenge them with winds in excess of 40 knots – and while he doubled his overnight lead last night, despite having to back up several times to clear week off his rudder and keel - Dick's gain on Golding is in the order of 10 miles today.more....
Vendée Globe: Indian Ocean claims another victimBernard Stamm, SUI, (Cheminées Poujoulat) is the latest skipper to report problems, not 24 hours after the keel damage of his compatriot Dominique Wavre as the Vendée Globe rolls on.more....
Vendée Globe: Wavre the latest casualtyFollowing the loss of Loïck Peyron’s mast just two days ago (Wednesday) it is damage to Dominique Wavre’s keel which has forced the Swiss skipper to head 150 miles north-east to the Kerguelen Islands after contacting race HQ at 1320hrs this afternoon to say that he had lost control of his keel following damage to head of the keel.more....
Vendée Globe: Sailing on the edgeThe fleet is converging, being channelled through the gap between the Kerguelen Islands and Heard Island - it is about 230 miles wide, this hostile channel where the seabed shelves are quite sharp – and it is part responsible for the difficult, confused seas which several skippers today reported having to deal with.more....
Vendée Globe: Josse and Dick neck and neck – Peyron outLoïck Peyron spent more than an hour and a half cutting free the rig and sails from his dismasted Gitana Eighty - left with only the boom, he has set about building a jury rig and told a special radio broadcast at 1700 hours (Paris time) that he would see how the yacht performed under jury rig before making a decision where he would head to.more....
Vendée Globe: Disaster for Peyron as Gitana Eighty dismastsAt around 1300 hours UTC this afternoon, Loïck Peyron's IMOCA Open 60 Gitana Eighty, racing in the Vendée Globe solo round the world race, dismasted while sailing 180 miles south of the Crozet Island and 650 miles from the Kerguelen Islands.more....
Vendée Globe: Following pack gaining on leadersA naturally occurring spell of respite for the leaders of the Vendée Globe who have been sailing slower, contrasting with the speeds of the mid-fleet chasing pack who are ripping through the Indian Ocean, re-gaining some of their recent lost miles.more....
Vendée Globe: Widening gaps will closeWhile the leaders of the Vendée Globe are still profiting from a solid westerly airflow as they pass either side of the Prince Edward Islands, so the mileage losses by the pursuing the leaders are increasing as they struggle to make the most of lighter winds.more....
Vendée Globe: Dick's turn at the front againJean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) is back at the front of the Vendée Globe, 25 days after he last held the lead, taking first place by the 1000hrs GMT standings, gybing through the west extremity of the second ice gate before plunging south again, seeking to magnify the gains he made in previous days by working the southern extremity of the course.more....
Vendée Globe: Rudder problem forces Basurko outUnaï Basurko (Pakea Bizkaia) officially confirmed his retirement from the at 12h34 UTC today due to the problem with his starboard rudder box the Basque sailor believing the problem cannot be repaired at sea, forcing him to head back northwards to pick up the trade winds, not wanting to go further south because conditions would make it dangerous for the boat.more....
Vendée Globe: Josse first into the Indian OceanSébastien Josse (BT) once again overtook Loïck Peyron to lead the Vendée Globe fleet into the Indian Ocean very early this morning French time and now heads the fleet by 25 miles as he starts to line up for the second security ice gate, 220 miles or so to his east.more....
Vendée Globe: Wily Peyron reclaims the leadAt the 1000hrs ranking in the Vendée Globe single-handed round the world race, Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) reclaimed his lead, this time from Yann Eliès (Generali) and is now holding a 44.9 nautical mile lead on second placed Seb Josse (BT), with Elies dropping back to third in what is transpiring to be an extraordinarily close race at the front of the fleet.more....
Vendée Globe: Atrocious conditions as Elies closes the gapAs the Southern Ocean delivers the first big winds of this Vendée Globe, speeds at the front of the fleet climb proportionately and the leaders are well into 35-40 knots of wind on big rolling seas, anticipating forecast gusts of 45-50 knots tonight as the gales peak for about 10-12 hours.more....
Vendée Globe: Bazurko sustains rudder damageThis morning at 0530 GMT/UTC, Gonzalo Terceño, the Pakea Bizkaia project manager, informed Race Directors of the Globe that Unai Bazurko had a rudder problem - after hearing a loud noise, the Basque sailor saw that his starboard rudder cassette was damaged.more....
Vendée Globe: Josse chews up the milesBig winds overnight, during which a few of the leading skippers – Vincent Riou and Mike Golding among them – admitting today that they had pushed too hard, gave way to lighter 15-20 knots more westerly winds for the front running group who will pass through the first ice gate this evening and tonight.more....
Vendée Globe: Modification of the second Ice GateAfter observation of the most recent pictures sent by CLS, the supplier of satellite information revealing the position of icebergs in the Indian and Pacific Ocean, Vendée Globe Race Directors, in agreement with Louis Mesnier of CLS, Sylvain Mondon of Météo France and Alain Gautier, the race safety consultant, have decided, as laid down in the Race Instructions, to modify the position of Kerguelen Ice Gate.more....
Vendée Globe: Jojo’s yo-yo’ing lead - Malbon’s whaleFor the so called Roaring Forties, speeds remain pleasingly steady rather than spectacular for the pace-setting group of Vendée Globe leaders and in winds of 20-25 knots, it is Sébastien Josse (BT) who is in his third full day at the top of the leaderboard, 37.7 nautical miles up on second placed Yann Eliès (Generali).more....
Vendée Globe: Josse gains momentum - Desjoyeaux climbs the ranksThe head scratching, brain teaser that was the St Helena high pressure system is a fast fading memory as the top ten skippers, including leader Sebastien Josse, on the Vendée Globe gybe south and east to pick up the Roaring Forties, to propel them eastwards to the first Ice Gate some 650 miles to the east.more....
Vendée Globe: Josse takes commandThere might not be anyone on board calling the hoist, but it will still have been a good moment as the fat-hipped, flat-bottomed IMOCA 60s are made for launching themselves downwind, not battering their way into the breeze, and the leading skippers will today have been rejoicing in the opportunity to finally launch their big gennakers, bear off, flatten out the boat, and head in the right direction towards the ice gate.more....
Vendée Globe: Incredible and close racingAnother five hours, and another roll of the dice, as the positions shuffle once more in this afternoon’s schedule (1500hrs GMT) as Sébastien Josse (BT) resumes his place at the front of the rankings as the most southerly boat, with Peyron on his tail, about eight miles behind (currently in fourth place).more....
Vendée Globe: Leaders play musical chairsLate yesterday BT skipper Seb Josse wrestled the long-held lead off Loïck Peyron, only for Peyron to inch ahead this morning - but it looks like Jo Jo has learnt a few tricks from the master, as today’s tactics saw him come from the east of the pack towards the south-west, staying in the best of the breeze, then tack back to position himself at the front of the fleet, pulling directly ahead of Peyron and third-placed Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air).more....
Vendée Globe: Josse takes controlFor the first time in 14 days, the 2008-08 Vendée Globe has a new leader as at this afternoon’s 1500hrs (GMT) updates, Seb Josse on BT has taken pole position from long-time pace-setter Loïck Peyron.more....
Vendée Globe: Closing the gap on PeyronThe elastic band that seems to be holding the leading group together has contracted again and second placed Seb Josse has bounced back to just 12.9 miles behind leader Loïck Peyron who has a habit of stretching away again overnight, but all five of the leaders are now within 50.9 miles of one another.more....
Vendée Globe: Beyou outJérémie Beyou, the skipper of Delta Dore, has informed the Race Directors of his decision to retire from the race, believing it is impossible to carry out repairs without external help.more....
Vendée Globe: Reshuffling and gainsA slight reshuffling at the front of the fleet in the South Atlantic this afternoon, with a new name in the top three, as Armel Le Cléac'h climbs into third place, from fifth as the pace of the leading group eases slightly and second-placed Seb Josse creeps to within 13 miles of leader Loïck Peyron.more....
Vendée Globe: Power reaching in passing lanesGitana Eighty (Gitana Eighty) leads the charge south off the Brasilian coast as the tradewinds back to the east and promote faster speeds, but as the fleet heads directly towards the St Helena high pressure system and lighter winds, there could be changed in two of three days time.more....
Vendée Globe: Peyron continues lead - Beyou suffers rig problemsJérémie Beyou, FRA, (Delta Dore) reported this morning local time that he has a problem with two spreaders which support his mast and is heading to Brasil while the lead of Gitana Eighty, skippered by Loïck Peyron, grows very slowly, but steadily in the trade winds conditions.more....
Vendée Globe: Into the Southern HemisphereNearly half the Vendée Globe fleet is into the Southern Hemisphere now and leader Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) eked out another two miles in the hard close reaching conditions in 14-22 knots trade winds from Seb Josse (BT) who is 24.4nm behind, but still second placed in this single-handed round the world race.more....
Vendée Globe: Closing in on the EquatorMoving progressively into trade winds sailing, Loïck Peyron on Gitana Eighty maintains an increasingly solid looking lead of 20 miles from Seb Josse, (BT) and the top-five order stays the same in the Vendée Globe.more....
Vendée Globe: Peyron can't shake rivalsAs he leads the fleet towards their exit gate from the Doldrums, Loïck Peyron’s Vendée Globe lead is still intact his Gitana Eighty leading Seb Josse (BT), Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2), Vincent Riou (PRB) and Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air) – only 38 miles between the top five after 11 days and more than 2650 miles of racing.more....
Vendée Globe: Uncertainties of the doldrumsSpeeds slow as the leading pack work their way through the Doldrums. Loïck Peyron, Gitana Eighty still leads 27.3 miles ahead of Seb Josse (BT). Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) admits losing miles to autopilot problem, and is now eighth.more....
Vendée Globe: DeuceThe leadership of the Vendée Globe swings back to Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) as the leading boats enter the northern fringes of the Doldrums. Since Sunday night both Peyron and Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) have now lead five times apiece over the ten intermediate position schedules.more....
Vendée Globe: Peyron back at top after Cape Verde IslandsLeaving the tricky Cape Verde Islands astern, it appears to be business as usual for Loïck Peyron on Gitana Eighty as he emerges back at the top of the Vendée Globe fleet this afternoon with his margin re-established back at 24.3 miles over Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux), who lead for a period this morning.more....
Vendée Globe: Just passing throughAt 16h17'33' GMT Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty became the final competitor to re-start the Vendée Globe. Having repaired small cracks in the deck and hull of Maisonneuve, he set off more than 400 miles behind Derek Hatfield, CAN, (Spirit of Canada). Lining up to pass the Cape Verde Islands, Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) has a lead of just over 30 miles over Seb Josse (BT).more....
Vendée Globe: The recovery phaseA time for personal, boat, and equipment consolidation as gentler conditions slow the leading group in the Vendée Globe. Loick Peyron (Gitana Eighty) leads for the third day since the race started last Sunday. His advantage has been a steady 14 miles since early this morning, ahead of Seb Josse (BT).more....
Vendée Globe - The pace slows...a time to rest?Consistent Loïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) has a steady night but sees his lead halved by Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) to 13.8 miles. Third placed Seb Josse (BT) gains too as the leading group slows in lighter breezes.more....
Vendee Globe - a compression sessionLoïck Peyron (Gitana Eighty) still leads the Vendée Globe but Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux) continues to advance in second as the leading pack compress slightly. Speeds are dropping slightly among the leaders and the chasing group are making steady gains. Derek Hatfield, CAN, (Algimouss Spirit of Canada) re-started this morning and makes good progress on his first day back on the race course.more....
Vendée Globe Day 4: Hugo Boss outA bitterly disappointed Alex Thomson confirmed his official retirement from the Vendée Globe, unable to make repairs to his Open 60 Hugo Boss before the start line closes next Wednesday – he says it will take weeks rather than days to repair the crack in his hull, and believes he hit something in the water.more....
Vendée Globe: Thomson says he will fight onAlex Thomson arrived back off Les Sables d’Olonne early this morning local time with his damaged Hugo Boss and had to wait until just around midday to get back into the port the immediate plan being to lift the rig out the boat and make a full inspection of the boat, as his technical team are standing by for another race against time, one they remember only too well.more....
Vendée Globe: Jojo holds on to slim leadSeb Josse (BT) continues to lead the Vendée Globe by a slender 1.1 nautical miles on the 1500h GMT rankings, consolidating now from his easterly position and he will know soon if he has enough on second placed Jean Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) to hold his slender lead which shrank by five miles as Dick gybed.more....
Vendée Globe: Trials and tribulationsAfter a battering by winds which gusted to over 50 knots and big confused seas on the second night of racing in the single-handed Vendée Globe, Jean Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) led the fleet out of the stormy weather past Cape Finisterre this morning as speeds accelerated the yachts into more favourable conditions.more....
Vendée Globe: Race of attrition – Hugo Boss outAlex Thomson's Hugo Boss is the latest casualty, with structural damage to the hull of his Open 60 and the British sailor is returning towards the race’s start point in France in what has become a race of attrititon – two boats dismasted and six others either out of the race or temporarily out of the race with damage.more....
Vendée Globe takes its toll – two dismasted others out for repairsIt is only Day 2 of the single-handed round the world Vendée Globe and already the 30-boat fleet has been decimated two dismastings and now seven boats out for repairs in the latest news off the race track as the remaining competitors head into nasty weather.more....
Vendée Globe: Serious weather will change the ball game againAs the Vendée Globe leaders head into a stormy evening and night, the Bay of Biscay is bearing its teeth, winds of 45-50 knots and big, confused seas are expected to give the skippers a serious test and it may shake up the standings which currently has Marc Guillemot (Safran) in a slight lead to Loick Peyron (Gitana), Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) and Kito de Pavant (Groupe Bel), while a previous race winner has been forced to return to base.more....
Vendée Globe: Tough first night at seaIt’s been a tough first night in the sixth Vendée Globe, with the fleet facing headwinds of 20-30 knots and 4-6 metre seas, and two boats already returning to port — Dominque Wavre on Temenos returned soon after the start with electrical problems, but was able to fix them and rejoin the race shortly after 11pm (local time), whilst Bernard Stamm has also been forced to turn back after a collision with a fishing boat damaged his bowsprit.more....
Vendée Globe: Dominique Wavre returns to portThe shore crew of Temenos are working hard to fix the electrical problems that forced Dominique Wavre to sail back to Port Olonna shortly after the start of the Vendée Globe – and if the problem can be solved before midnight tonight local time, then Temenos may be able to leave Les Sables d'Olonne and rejoin the race straight away.more....
Sam Davies off in first Vendée GlobeThe Vendee Globe solo non-stop round the world race is the first one for skipper Samantha Davies aboard Roxy Sailing, one of two female British sailors in the race and it is the pinnacle event of her campaign, taking the British sailor 24,000 miles in the race that starts and finishes in Les Sables d’Olonne, France.more....
Vendée Globe: They’re on their way!After emotional farewells on the dock, the final goodbyes were an undignified scramble for most of the Vendée Globe teams, with shore crews despatched to RIBs at the very last minute, and every vantage point along the canal from the haven of Les Sables d’Olonne port to the sea was jammed deep with tens of thousands of well wishers.more....
Vendée Globe: The clock is tickingFor Vendée Globe veterans, tomorrow’s start day (Sunday local time) will be a heady cocktail of déjà vu, rushing into an immediate test of seamanship and brinksmanship, but for the rookies – the first timers – a real baptism of fire awaits.more....
Vendée Globe: The final countdownTwo days to go until the start of the sixth Vendée Globe and the big unanswered question which still prevails with the public, media and skippers alike, is predicting who will win the biggest and most wide-open round the world race ever - will experience win over sheer drive and determination?more....
Michel Desjoyeaux – 48 hours to go and counting!Forty-eight hours to go and the Foncia team are taking charge of the final preparations as skipper Michel Desjoyeaux is pouring over the grib files in increasing detail for the first days of this single-handed round the world Vendée Globe.more....
Vendée Globe: Three days to go!With three days left before the start of the Vendée Globe from France, the atmosphere gets ever more electric as the crowds swell in Les Sables d'Olonne and the skippers continue their mix of media, preparation, and weather and routing strategy for the first few days.more....
Vendee Globe: White closer to realising his dreamHe may not be across the start line yet, but he is now very much on course, and today marked an important milestone in the Vendée Globe campaign of Steve White, a dream which goes back nearly 10 years, not long after he sailed for the first time.more....
Hugo Boss ready to hit the waterA nervous week of waiting comes to a welcome end for British solo ocean racer Alex Thomson when his IMOCA Open 60 Hugo Boss emerged from the boat shed today ready to be slipped back into the water of Les Sables d'Olonne's Port Olona early tomorrow morning local time just one week before the start of the Vendée Globe.more....
Vendée Globe: Race against time – and birthdaysRepairs to the side of AlexThomson’s Hugo Boss are now complete as the November 9 start day creeps closer and the final touches are being made to the inside of the hull, then on Thursday evening it will be time for the painting, with the boat due to leave the yard on Friday morning at seven.more....
Hugo Boss goes under the knifeIt has been a week since the incident involving a French fishing vessel and Hugo Boss and the team at Alex Thomson Racing have been working around the clock to manage the repair to the boat which was moved from her temporary home in the commercial docks of Les Sables d’Olonne to a local boat yard called ‘Feeling’ owned by Alliaura Marine on Tuesday and the 25 strong build and operational team is now in place and working so Thomson can make the Vendee Globe start line.more....
Vendée village holiday atmosphere belies skippers' urgenciesOnly two weeks and two days to go to the start of the Vendee Globe as the sun, crowds and jaunts out to sea continue - the Vendée Globe village has the feel of a summer holiday - this comes as a great delight to the visitors who are benefiting from these fine conditions to admire the impressive machines that are the 60 foot monohulls, while behind the scenes some skippers are battling time to make the November 9 start.more....
Vendee Globe: Steve White running out of timeWhile the spotlight is clearly on the ill-fated Alex Thomson and his Hugo Boss, currently undergoing repairs to make the Vendee Globe start, another British skipper has his own race against the clock as Steve White (Spirit of Weymouth) yesterday managed to complete his funding and must now try to catch up on his preparation.more....
Team drafted to get Hugo Boss to Vendee startA 25-strong team has been drafted and working around the clock in a massive effort get Hugo Boss to the start line of the Vendee Globe on November 9, the yacht being moved to local boat yard to begin work on the damage done since a collision with a French fishing boat on 17 October.more....
Vendee Globe: skippers attend safety briefingSkippers got together this morning (Monday local time) for two briefings with the Race Directors, the Race Committee, the Protest Committee and the Rules Committee, in order to learn about how the measurement and safety checks will take place aboard the monohulls during the next two weeks.more....
Vendee Globe: Excitement buildingWith the official opening of the Vendée Globe village by Philippe de Villiers at 10 this morning (Saturday local time), the Vendée Globe, which starts on November 9, is well and truly in the starting blocks and all of the solo skippers were present for the official photographs and welcome briefing, while the crowds turned up to discover the stands and educational displays around the pontoons.more....
Hugo Boss dismasts following a collisionWhile sailing two miles off Les Sables d’Olonne, Alex Thomson was hit by a fishing boat, which rammed into the side of Hugo Boss causing her to dismast and the monohull entry for the Vendee Globe is now moored in the commercial harbour, where an inspection will be carried out.more....
54 days to go to the start of yachting’s EverestThirty solo skippers representing seven nations will be setting out from Les Sables d’Olonne on November 9 for the sixth edition of the Vendée Globe.more.... |
|
|
