October 10, 2008
Vendée Globe 2008/2009
Press release n° 3
For immediate release
D day-30 : the pressure mounts !
Only a month to go before the start. On 9th November at 13h02 (local time), the thirty competitors taking part in the Vendée Globe will set sail and the exceptional adventure will be underway. All of the teams are busy preparing for battle, making sure they have done everything on their check list, and trying to relieve the pressure that is building on each of the yachtsmen.
Photo :
© Aviva Ocean Racing
If we look at the various teams taking part, what is particularly striking is the level of preparation. The boats are ready as never before: all that needs to be done now is ensure they have all the spare equipment in place, deal with the supplies and get ready for the delivery voyage to Les Sables d’Olonne, as the rules make it clear that the boats must be moored in Port Olona by the 18th October at the latest.
Getting away from the stress
For many of the skippers, the past few weeks have clearly seen a change in pace: increasing demands from the media, the final training sessions together, the tension building around them, as the date draws near. For the skippers, it is time to start to get ready to enter into the swing of the race and to clear their heads to avoid being overwhelmed by the natural excitement they are bound to feel. Jean-Pierre Dick has planned to take a breather in the mountains, while Yann Elies will be taking advantage of the final moments to have some quality time with his family.
Final work and some pleasant surprises
For others, it is already time to set sail on the delivery trip: thus, Kito de Pavant has left his base in Port Camargue to ensure his Groupe Bel is on time at the Vendée Globe pontoon. It is true that going through the Straits of Gibraltar and up the Western coast of Portugal requires more patience than simply passing the islands of Groix and Belle-Île off Southern Brittany and getting around the Barges Banks, the final obstacle before entering the harbour in Les Sables d’Olonne.
Then, there are those, who are pleased to be discovering a new identity, like Derek Hatfield, whose boat has been rechristened Algimouss.
18th October, the next big day
Meanwhile ashore, work continues. The Vendée Globe Village is taking shape and the 9000 square metres of the big top are gradually appearing on the quayside in Port Olona with a jumble of electric cables, metal tubes and various pieces of equipment… What is important now is that everything will be ready for the inauguration on 18th October, the date of the official opening.
Programme for 18th October:
10h00: Inauguration of the Vendée Globe Village by Philippe de Villiers
12h00: Briefing and welcome for the skippers, chaired by Philippe de Villiers
19h00: Sound and light show in Port Olona.
Translation Mer & Media
More information http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en
Vendee Globe 2008/2009
International medias contact :
OKTOPOD
Véronique Teurlay
Tel : + 33 870 445 085 (skype in)
E-mail : intpress@vendeeglobe.fr
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