Vendée Globe Skippers in Les Sables d’Olonne

France - That’s it, the Vendée Globe will be really coming to an end this weekend with the Prize Giving Ceremony. It’s going to a great evening where the 30 singlehanders will be celebrated for their efforts and bravery.

It’s been just over 6 months ago that Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, Frances most famous news anchorman, triggered the gun for the start of the Vendée Globe. 6 months already? Time flies indeed, but the race is still fresh in our memories. Like Michel Desjoyeaux’ historical 2nd victory for example or Dee Caffari becoming the first woman and only 3rd skipper (after Mike Golding and Jean-Luc Van Den Heede) to sail singlehanded around the World in both directions. And Sizzles, of course, her teddy bear, who becomes the first teddy bear to do so! We all remember as well the dramatic rescue operation of Yann Eliès after his way too unfortunate accident in the Indian Ocean. There are so many thing to remember: Arnaud Boissières jubilating like no other after crossing the finishing line, the exhausted Rich Wilson who experienced it as a never ending car crash, the most wonderful 8th place of Steve White who wasn’t even sure to participate at the race only a few weeks before the start. But one of the most beautiful moments was the most emotional one as well: Marc Guillemot arriving in Les Sables d’Olonne in the middle of the night and being warmly welcomed by Vincent Riou, Jean Le Cam, Samantha Davies, Roland Jourdain and Yann Eliès. That night is simply unforgettable.

From the 30 IMOCA Open 60s that were on the start, only 11 made it back to France. Three were dismasted during the first 24 hours of the race, some others in the southern oceans. Keel or structural problems were the cause of many abandons, others were unlucky by hitting sea mammals or UFOs (Unidentified Floating Objects), like Jean-Pierre Dick who hit three of them, causing damage to both his rudders, forcing him to abandon. The dramatic loss of Jean Le Cam's boat as well as the severe damage sustained on Bernard Stamm's yacht after running aground in the Kerguelen Islands.

Because of the many abandons, there is a taste of unfinished to this race, leaving us with a lot of questions that we’ll never be able to answer. Who wouldn’t have loved to have seen a dogfight around the world between Loïck Peyron and Mike Golding? Would Yann Eliès have been on the podium if that terrible accident didn’t have happened? Would Jean Le Cam have been able to finish 2nd like 4 years ago if he hadn’t capsized? There are so many questions that will remain unanswered. But let’s not forget that offshore racing is a mechanical sport and that not finishing a race is part of the job.

But hey, we’re not here to speculate about things that could or couldn’t have happened. We’re here to celebrate 30 courageous and brave skippers that have the guts to attempt an around the World race. And that deserves a whole lot of respect. Bravo!!

For the skippers it’s going to be a long evening. All of them will have to be there according to the Vendée Globe rules. Each one of them will be accompanied by 15 people of his choice: crew, sponsors and friends. A huge reception will be given in ‘Le Palais des Congrès des Atlantes’ followed by diner, before going to the beach for the ceremony itself. A film about the race wil be shown, the skippers will be rewarded and trophies will be handed out before setting off a most spectacular firework for the nearly 100.000 people that are expected to show up on the main beach of Les Sables d’Olonne. Maybe more, as the weather forecast expects it to be an early summer day. It’s going to be a great night, that’s for sure!!! On that evening will be announced the date of the start of the 2012/2013 Vendée Globe.

November 2012? Gosh, that’s only 3 and half years away!

- by Duff exclusively for YachtPals.com

Vendee Globe Results:

1. Michel Desjoyeaux - Foncia - Michel Desjoyeaux Wins the Vendée Globe (84 days)

2. Armel Le Cléac´h - Brit Air - Vendée Globe 2nd
3. Marc Guillemont - Safran - Vendée Globe 3rd (finished with no keel)
3. Vincent Riou - PRB - (dismasted) - 3rd Place (redress given)
4. Sam Davies - Roxy - Finishes the Vendée Globe
5. Brian Thompson - Pindar - Fifth in the Vendée Globe
6. Dee Caffari - Aviva - New World Sailing Record
7. Arnaud Boissières - Akena Vérandas - 7th in the Vendee Globe
8. Steve White - Toe in the Water - Average Bloke's Sailing Dreams Come True
9. Rich Wilson - Great American III - Great American Sails into France
10. Raphaël Dinelli - Fondation Océan Vital - 125 days
11. Norbert Sedlacek - Nauticsport-Kapsch - 126 days

The Vendée Globe Prize Giving Ceremony

Sailing News by Duff exclusively for YachtPals.com

Read all articles by Duff or articles en Français

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