Sunday 9th November 2008
Vendée Globe, they're off!
Marc Guillemot and Safran in the leading pack
They're off! Marc Guillemot got off to a good start on Safran crossing the Vendée Globe start line today (Sunday) at 13h02 (French time). With one reef in the indexsail and under solent, the grey and orange monohull rapidly made her way to the front, and a few minutes after the gun was fired was in fifth position. In the 16h rankings, Safran shared the lead with Sébastien Josse's BT.
Overcast, gloomy weather, a fairly light westerly wind, reaching only around twelve knots, heavy seas, lots of spectator boats out on the water, after the crowds thronging along the harbourside. In short, that was the backdrop for the start of this sixth Vendée Globe, which took place at 13h02 today off Les Sables d'Olonne. A massive popular success and a great turnout for the thirty solo sailors about to tackle the round the world voyage.
Aboard Safran, as planned this morning, when he set out from the pontoons in Les Sables d'Olonne, Marc Guillemot got off to a cautious start. «Taking a risk is out of the question, when there are three months of sailing ahead,» Marc stated. Under solent and with one reef in the index, he reindexed cautious. but efficient: fifteen minutes after the gun, Safran was already up with the pack, in fifth place in a fleet led by the title-holder, Vincent Riou on PRB.
4 to 6 metre high waves tomorrow?
As forecast, Safran and most of the fleet set sail on the port tack (with the wind coming from the left, editor), sailing firstly north-westwards, which was the best possible bearing.
Marc Guillemot had a perfect first half-hour of racing, managing to find his way through to pick up some fresh air and not suffer in the wake of the other competitors. This initial good impression was confirmed in the first race rankings issued at 16h (French time).
1 - BT - Sébastien Josse 23,657.5 miles from the finish
2 - Safran - Marc Guillemot 0 miles behind
3 - Virbac-Paprec -Jean-Pierre Dick 0.2 miles from the leader
We know that the weather ahead is set to be rough, as Sylvain Mondon from Météo France explains: «The wind will continue to strengthen throughout the afternoon. Tomorrow (Monday), there will be 30-35 knots of wind gusting to 40-45 knots and 4 to 6 metre high waves.» The first night and the first two days of racing in this Vendée Globe look like being quite tough therefore. but also offer strategic choices.
A few words from Marc Guillemot before the start:
Three achievements - «The first achievement is making it to the start, the second will be making it back to Les Sables d'Olonne, and the third will be for only one person among us, for whom it is going to be truly magical.»
Sharing - «It's fabulous, I'm really pleased to be able to share this farewell, these magic moments with all those, who have made this project possible.»
Difficulties and joys - «During this round the world voyage, there are bound to be some difficult moments, but also moments of sheer joy. Otherwise, those, who are returning to the race, would not be back here again!»
To follow Marc Guillemot and Safran's race, visit www.safransixty.com
Rights free photos - Must be credited: Jacques Vapillon/DPPI/Safran
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