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Syndikate Vendee Globe 2008/09 - BT OPEN 60//SEB JOSSE
www.btsebjosse.com - www.vendeeglobe.org - Übersicht
5 November 2008
4 DAYS TO GO AND 20KG LIGHTER!
In brief:
* Seb faces the media at press conference this morning "The Vendée Globe is unique. It's 80 days of loneliness, of competition.we don't have time to recharge our batteries.. The Vendée Globe is another story, it is a marathon ."
[see full quotes below]
* Final few days before the start on Sunday, 9.11.08 and Seb is feeling relaxed, dealing with final media requests and sponsor engagements as well as time out with his family and friends, and a finding a few last-minute things to do: "Yesterday, we go through the boat looking where we could save weight because since our arrival in Les Sables d'Olonne a lot of things have been added that I don't need!" [see full quote below]
* BT went for a final sail this morning - today is the last day the boats are allowed to leave the dock in Les Sables d'Olonne.
* Today the sun may have disappeared but not the crowds who are still flocking to the pontoons to see the 30-strong line-up of premier racing boats - official figures confirm nearly half a million visitors to the pontoons up until last Sunday.
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Photos: Thierry Martinez/ SeaCo/ BT Seb Josse
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* To see the latest photos from Les Sables d'Olonne - the race village, pontoons and Seb's press conference hosted by official sailing team partner G.H Mumm Champagne in their VIP Club Mumm Lounge, visit the gallery below
* Partner of the day: Champagne G.H. Mumm
In detail:
Seb Josse press conference:
How do you feel a few days before the start? Are you ready?
"If we had to leave today, I will be ready. Of course there's always small details to do onboard and small settings. For my part, I try at a maximum to spend time with my family, my friends who are visiting me before the start. Yesterday, we go through the boat looking where we could save weight because since our arrival in Les Sables D'olonnes a lot of things have been added that I don't need! So yesterday, we spend the day onboard unpacking and repacking every bag. I think we lose something like 20kgs at the end of the day."
Are you already in a 'Race Mode'?
"I will enter in that mode the day before the start, I think. For now, of course, I start to concentrate on the race because with have more details on the weather for the start and the followings days. I will be fully on my race Sunday morning when I will leave the pontoons."
What are the big differences with the last Vendée Globe in 2004?
"The atmosphere is much more professional and studious. Four years ago, teams were not going out sailing, they were far too busy with work onboard until late at night and until the last minute. This time, we can see 4 or 5 boats sailing every day to do a final check on sails, electronics.and that's something we never saw before in the Vendée Globe. Personally, I'm much more confident and relaxed. I'm ready, the boat is ready, I know where I'm going."
What did you learn from the Volvo Ocean Race? [Ed note: Seb was skipper of ABN AMRO 2 in the last Volvo Ocean Race and held the 24-hour monohull speed record until it was broken by Ericsson last week in the latest edition of the race]
"You know, sails are our engine onboard but we don't have the time, the team or the budget to try and design 30 sails before the start. That experience in the Volvo allows me to know exactly what I need and what I wanted for the BT IMOCA 60. And, of course, it's really hard physically and we're wet 24-hours a day so it develops your endurance and marine skills."
Why the Vendée Globe?
"The Vendée Globe is unique - you can't compare it to a crewed race with stopovers. It's 80 days of loneliness; of competition.we don't have time to recharge our batteries as there're no stopover. The Volvo Ocean Race is less demanding in term of mental, we're sailing for 25 days but you know that you will spend 4 weeks at home before the next leg. The Vendée Globe is another story, it is a marathon, the big adventure."
What's your objective for the race?
"As I like to say, the first goal is to finish. Four years ago, I wanted to do well and I finished in fifth place I want to improve that result this time but we cannot forget that I'm not the only one to have this ambition. The most important thing in the Vendée Globe is to arrive first in the Indian Ocean, you have to try and get on the express train first!"
Partner of the day: Official Champagne of the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team, Champagne G.H. Mumm
The Official Champagne of the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team G.H. Mumm has sponsored sailing since the renowned explorer Commander Charcot used Cordon Rouge in 1904 to mark 14th July on the Antarctic ice floes. We are committed as a brand to celebrate remarkable feats of endurance and human achievement, such as the Vendée Globe and we wish Seb Josse a fast, yet safe passage and will be following his journey closely and look forward to helping him celebrate his return.
http://www.mumm.com http://www.mumm.com/
Credit Photos: Thierry Martinez/ SeaCo/ BT Seb Josse
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
For further information on the BT Team Ellen contact:
Julie Royer
BT Team Ellen Communications Manager
Email: julie.royer@ocgroup.com
Tel: +44 7500 787 812
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