17 October 2008
Sébastien Josse / BT Open 60: heading for the Vendée Globe Start Port
Facing Challenges Together... on and off the water
BT Team Ellen comprises a group of dedicated sailors who are passionate about winning. They race across oceans, take on round the world epics and engage in close inshore combat. But they are also a team who care about the state of the planet they race around, and are striving to live and work in more sustainable ways, and motivate others to do the same.
In Brief:
* News that Hugo Boss has dismasted after a collision with a fishing vesel while waiting to enter the port of Les Sables D'olonne last night.
* The time has come for Sébastien Josse as he and the crew sail the BT Open 60 to Les Sables d'Olonne, the start port of the solo Vendée Globe.Image
* Just over three weeks to go to the start of this legendary solo race on 9th November. From the moment the start gun fires, Seb's life will be consumed by the race 24/7. See below the special feature '24 hours onboard BT'.
* The new race mode website is now online, click here www.btsebjosse.com http://www.ocvision.co.uk/cms/story/www.btsebjosse.com and you can follow's Seb's race step by step via the special Race Console.
* Spare a moment to check out the new 3d tour of the BT Open 60 with video introductions by Seb, click here http://www.btsebjosse.com/boat.asp to view; plus watch Seb's new promo about the famous Vendée Globe race http://www.btsebjosse.com/video.asp
* SOLO is the ultimate guide to Seb's entry in the Vendée Globe, and here is you chance to get an advance copy, click here http://www.btsebjosse.com/magazine.asp Discover the race's complete history, read our in-depth features about weather strategy, life on board, and the legendary landmarks on this round the world course. [Editor: Jocelyn Bleriot]
* Seb will be available for interviews in the run-up to the start. To arrange an interview please contact Julie Royer at julie.royer@ocgroup.com http://www.ocvision.co.uk/cms/story/julie.royer@ocgroup.com
* Media in Les Sables d'Olonne are invited to join Seb for an informal press breakfast on Wednesday, 5th November between 0900 and 1000 at the Mumm Champagne VIP Lounge
In Detail:
After the news that Hugo Boss has dismasted after a collision with a fishing vesel while waiting to enter the port of Les Sables D'olonne last night. "We are shocked to hear the news about Alex and we really hope that Hugo Boss can be on the startline of the race. Even to get on the start is a big challenge and it is awfull for the team after all the preparation. we wish them the best of luck."
heading for Les Sables d'Olonne
BT Open 60 skipper, Seb Josse, has spent the last few years planning to do the 2008/09 solo Vendée Globe - in fact, ever since he finished the last edition in 2005 - and after months of team preparation the moment is nearly upon him. Seb is the only sailor in the world so far to have completed the big three laps of the planet - solo, non-stop (Vendée Globe 2004/05), crewed, non-stop (Jules Verne 2002) and crewed with stops (Volvo Ocean Race 2006). About the Vendée Globe, Seb has no reservations: "There is no greater adventure. This race is worth all the sacrifices and risks it holds in store."
This Friday night Seb and the crew will sail BT from the team base in Lorient to the Vendée Globe start port of Les Sables d'Olonne. "I am feeling relaxed like usual!" said Seb. "It's the next step of the preparation. We can feel the changes today in Lorient, the container has left, there's no more computer in the office, everything is clean and packed. It's time to go! I know that the pressure will slowly build up and I will be fully focussed on the day of the start but for now, I really feel good!"
The entire 30-strong fleet must arrive by 10.00am on Saturday (18th October) a full three weeks ahead of the actual start day on Sunday, 9th November. Over that period thousands of public will come to see the boats and hopefully catch a glimpse of the skippers. But what will Seb be doing in these final days before the start: "We still have a lot of things to do in terms of security checks with the race organisation, administrative protocal, skipper briefings and so on. And the race organisation and media are pretty demanding in terms of presentation, interviews, etc, but we know this and so are also prepared for it. And all my family will be there so I will try to spend a lot of time with them. It's really important for me to get their emotional support in the build up to the start."
24 Hours onboard BT in Race Mode
"I spend most of my time in the cockpit, which amounts to roughly 10 hours out of 24. While up on deck, I don't helm a lot, I mostly trim the sails, perform regular checks to spot weak points and gear fatigue. On a round-the-world journey, there are not a lot of tacks or gybes, maybe only 20 during the whole race!
Crédit: Thierry Martinez/ SeaCo/ Sébastien Josse-BT
"I roughly spend 4 hours out of 24 in the nav station, but of course that figure rises if the weather situation is not clear and I need to spend more time assessing various scenarios. I download 4 weather files per day, as there is a new one issued every 6 hours. I also send pictures and videos back to my shore base - editing a video takes about 1.5 hours.
"My navstation 'seat' doubles as a mattress. Onboard, sleep is broken down into sessions ranging from 20 to 45 minutes, for a total of about 4 to 5 hours per 24 hours. If the conditions are very bad or I'm in a close-combat situation with a rival, I sleep less than usual but then I compensate my lack of sleep afterwards.
To read the full article online, click here http://www.btsebjosse.com/theboat.asp?sid=17951 http://www.btsebjosse.com/theboat.asp?sid=17951
http://www.btsebjosse.com
For further information on the BT Team Ellen contact:
Julie Royer
BT Team Ellen Communications Manager
Email: julie.royer@ocgroup.com
Tel: +44 7501723121
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