Vendee Globe

[laurence]

anyone else follow this?

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/

it's a round the world yacht race, single handed, non-stop. it runs every 4 years, starting and finishing in the Vendee, France. you can follow the action on the website and the sailors have video cameras, etc and upload footage and reports. the site also has tracking data.

the boats are all built to strict specifications, so are pretty much alike, so skill is a major factor.

it starts today and will finish in February (i think). i know i'll be addicted, as i have been for the last few races. last time there was drama with rescues near cape horn and tales of flying fish landing on becalmed boats in the doldrums. the tales from the Southern Ocean are terrifying.

anyway, bon chance to the sailors.

 

[Pottsy]

I'm a massive fan. An ex-yacht skipper too.

There's a great iPhone app to which enables you to track them.

Golding and of course Sam are my favourites.

 

[laurence]

see, this is why i should NEVER get a snazzy 'phone, i'd never get anything else done - especially when the Vendee is taking place.

i like Guillemot, especially after he turned back last time to help an injured skipper. Sam rocks and Golding is brilliant, Thomson too. Le Cam, Riou ans Stamm are faves. i'll be cheering for Gutkowski... well, everyone, basically.

less than an hour 'til the start!

 

[Pottsy]

It's the sailing Tour de France.

Golding is going for a 'Wiggins' moment:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sailing/20043316

 

[laurence]

It's the sailing Tour de France.

Golding is going for a 'Wiggins' moment:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sailing/20043316

indeed... i have described it to people as such.

 

[Pottsy]

In some ways tougher. Life or death, sleep deprivation, loneliness, probably 60 days or so, physicality of course and psychologically incredible too, 4 years preparation....the list goes on.

 

[laurence]

the commentators have just described it as "the Everest of sailing".

nearly time! live feed of the start now on.