albatross2212.htmlVendee Globe 2008/09 www.vendeeglobe.org/en - Übersicht 30 October 2008 Solo Race, Team Effort In brief: * The Vendée Globe may be a solo race but it takes a committed team to get Seb across the start line - find out more about the BT shore team below. * A staggering 1 million visitors are expected to pass through the Vendée Globe race village [see photos below]. * View the latest video about Seb, his career, and his 2nd participation in the Vendée Globe, click here http://www.btsebjosse.com/video.asp * Repairs going well for Hugo Boss and things are looking up for Alex Thomson to be on the start line a week this Sunday. Foto: Vincent Curutchet/ DPPI/ Vendée Globe Foto: Bernard Gergaud In detail: More than 200,000 visitors have so far visited the pontoons of Les Sables D'Olonne since the opening weekend of the Vendée Globe race village on 18th of October, and the organisers predict a staggering 1 million people will pass through the site - the equivalent of filling Wembley Stadium 11 nights in a row - before the start day on Sunday, 9th November.  Despite the skippers being given free time this week, the public queue for hours to get a close-up view of these powerful racing machines and a fleeting sight of a skipper creates an immediate ripple effect as people surge forward to wish the skipper 'bon chance'.   After taking last weekend off in Brittany, Sébastien was back in Les Sables d'Olonne on Monday morning for 3 days of sailing, devoting these final valuable few hours to training: "It's important to spend a bit of time training on the water with the shore team. Each of them are giving me advice and different tips regarding their technical area. Together we're doing the final adjustment of the boat, final check on the autopilot, the communication system and son," explained Sébastien. Now Sébastien has another few days away to relax  before returning to Les Sables d'Olonne on Monday for the final week before the start - a week full of media demands, sponsor engagements and race organisation briefings. There will be a tangible change in the atmosphere next week as the clock ticks towards the start at 13h02 on Sunday, 9th November.  For the skippers the pressure will be intense  - they have spent many, many months, if not years, preparing for this moment. Sébastien will spend more and more time onboard to concentrate on the weather and strategy for the early part of the race. For Hugo Boss skipper, Alex Thomson, he is under a completely different type of pressure to what he expected.  He is now in a race against time to get his boat ready to cross the start line following a collision with a fishing boat 2 weeks ago that left Hugo Boss without a mast and with a gaping hole in her side.  But the shore team, and many others, are working round the clock and things are looking up for Alex who now expects to be ready.   Without a dedicated shore crew this would not be possible and every solo sailors knows that it is never just about one person, but about the team that are committed to giving their skipper the best possible chance of success. Most of the time people forget than behind a skipper there's a full team of professionals working hard to ensure that the boat is ready for racing with a number one priority of ensuring both boat and skipper get to the finish as fast as possible but as safely as possible. The 10-strong shore team ranges from technicians to riggers and from composite experts to communication specialists. They are the ones you will see on the boat now, scuttling up and down, in the cockpit or at the top of the mast. Pierre Emmanuel Hérissé, Boat Captain to the BT IMOCA 60 and faithful friend of Sébastien since the last Vendée Globe is in charge of the shore team. He is supported by Paul-Ed Henry who is in charge of logistics for the boat and the team, alongside Julie Royer who manages Seb's media engagements. On the boat right now, you're more likely to meet Yvan Joucla (rigger), Cyril Ducrot (mechanics and hydraulics), Jeff Cuzon (electronics), Mathieu Hacquebart (composites) and Olivier Douillard (sails) who are busy double-checking what has already been double-checked! The BT IMOCA 60 Team is proud of its 'international' status amongst the 30-strong fleet - the French contingent within the shore team is balanced out by a few other nationalities including Charlie Carter (UK) one of the original build team, technical consultant Neil Graham (AUS), Rhys Mellor (NZ) in charge of composites and Jamie Butterworth (UK), BT Sponsorship Manager.   "I'm really lucky to have such a good team. We're working in a funny atmosphere and laughing a lot. And the fact that the team is   international is a big advantage. Each of us has a different approach   to a problem, different idea or way of doing things and we take the better of each culture! A big thank you to all of them, they're   doing an amazing job," said Sébastien. "Ten days before the start, BT ready. The shore team  is only doing some details and it allows me to be more relaxed and without any pressure. If I had to leave tomorrow, I will be ready!" To find out more about Seb's BT IMOCA 60, click here for a 3d tour of the boat http://www.btsebjosse.com/boat.asp Photo Credit: Photo 1: Vincent Curutchet/ DPPI/ Vendée Globe Photo 2: Bernard Gergaud Photo 3: Bernard Gergaud Photo 4: Thierry Martinez/ SeaCo/ BT IMOCA 60 High-resolution images of the BT Open 60 are now available for download via the media website http://www.btsebjosse.com. Don't forget to sign up for press updates, with images, video and audio files available to download. Follow all the action and find out more about the team at the new website http://www.btsebjosse.com To unsubscribe, email: unsub@btteamellen.com mailto:unsub@btteamellen.com For further information on the BT Team Ellen contact: Julie Royer BT Team Ellen Communications Manager Email: julie.royer@ocgroup.com Tel: +44 0033 6 30 35 78 50 Copyright © 1996-2008 - SEGEL.DE