Andrew E
Well-Known Member
Poor Seb. Another night at sea, 14 miles from the finish and no wind! Are they allowed to row? 
Vendée Globe 2016-2017
- Thread starter Andrew E
- Start date
NormanB
Well-Known Member
From VG Website
Sébastien Destremau (TechnoFirst–faceOcean) crossed the Vendée Globe finish line off Les Sables d’Olonne in eighteenth place at 0040hrs UTC on saturday 11th March 2017 after 124 days, 12 hours, 38 minutes and 18 seconds of racing since the start on 6th November. The skipper from Toulon is the final competitor to complete this eighth edition of the non-stop solo round the world race. The curtain falls on the 2016-2017 Vendée Globe fifty days after the winner, Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire VIII), who finished on 19th January.
Sébastien Destremau (TechnoFirst–faceOcean) crossed the Vendée Globe finish line off Les Sables d’Olonne in eighteenth place at 0040hrs UTC on saturday 11th March 2017 after 124 days, 12 hours, 38 minutes and 18 seconds of racing since the start on 6th November. The skipper from Toulon is the final competitor to complete this eighth edition of the non-stop solo round the world race. The curtain falls on the 2016-2017 Vendée Globe fifty days after the winner, Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire VIII), who finished on 19th January.
horatio_nelson
Well-Known Member
Bravo Seb! Chapeau 
What a great guy he is, and what heroes they all are
What a great guy he is, and what heroes they all are
armchairsailor
Well-Known Member
Cant wait to see the reception he gets. I hope it's the one he deserves.
'Strikes me that the tail end Charlies have it toughest in some ways - almost twice the duration, knowing that you're not competitive and still thrashing on with thousands of miles to go... OK, Seb stated he was never in it for the race, but even so, it must be a tad demoralising to see how far behind the pace you are. Hats off to all of them for outstanding seamanship and bravery.
'Strikes me that the tail end Charlies have it toughest in some ways - almost twice the duration, knowing that you're not competitive and still thrashing on with thousands of miles to go... OK, Seb stated he was never in it for the race, but even so, it must be a tad demoralising to see how far behind the pace you are. Hats off to all of them for outstanding seamanship and bravery.
NormanB
Well-Known Member
Watch Seb enter harbour - from the VG website:
The sun is out this morning for this day, which will mark the conclusion of the 8th Vendée Globe. After crossing the finish line last night, Sébastien Destremau managed to get some sleep aboard his boat and was able to eat a few pizzas, which he particularly enjoyed after weeks of rationing his food. Because of the tide, it will be at 1200hrs UTC that the skipper of TechnoFirst-faceOcean will be able to enter the harbour. Given that this is the final boat to complete the round the world race, crowds are expected this afternoon to welcome Destremau. You can follow this arrival on the Vendée Globe facebook page: entrance into the harbour, his first words on the pontoon, the podium and the press conference.
More from the VG website:
Bio and Race resume for Seb.
Although born in Brittany 52 years ago, Sébastien Destremau is now based in Toulon. After an Olympic preparation in the Flying Dutchman class, he took part in several major crewed races, such as the Volvo Ocean Race and the Sydney–Hobart. He later became a consultant, setting up a video magazine covering race news. It was in 2015 that the skipper acquired the Imoca 60 TechnoFirst-faceOcean built in 1998, which had already clocked up two Vendée Globe races – firstly with Josh Hall (9th in 2000-2001) and then with Steve White (8th in 2008-2009). After a delivery trip from Cape Town to Toulon, Sébastien Destremau qualified for the round the world race by competing in the Calero Solo Transat, between Lanzarote and Newport, Rhode Island. Before the start, the French skipper described his boat as being “ultra simple, like a bicycle without gears”.
This inability to step up the speed was confirmed very eartly on in the race, when the skipper, whose only goal was to complete the round the world voyage, found himself at the rear of the fleet. He would attempt to take a short cut close to the coast of Africa, but to no avail. In the third week of racing, his starter motor failed and following in the footsteps of Michel Desjoyeaux, he was forced to come up with an alternative method to start his engine to fill his ballast tanks, using a rope and sail power. Destremau was successful in his makeshift technique, but the method was time consuming.
As he approached the first of the three major capes, Good Hope, the French skipper was joined by Catalan skipper, Didac Costa (OnePlanet- OneOcean). The Spaniard, who had set sail four days after returning to the port of Les Sables d’Olonne after problems with his electronics, soon made his getaway ahead of TechnoFirst-faceOcean, which passed the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope on 11th December. Destremau would set off across the Indian Ocean close to Romain Attanasio, who had been forced to sail to South Africa to carry out repairs. By Cape Leeuwin they were joined by Dutch skipper Pieter Heerema bringing up the rear of the eighth Vendée Globe to the south of Australia. In strong winds, Destremau, who felt no real pressure on him, was quite happy to reduce the sail. “Of course, we’re not as quick, but we may go much further than some.” It was in the Southern Ocean that Destremau fully understood what he was accomplishing. “I can hardly believe it. We are just normal guys, but we’re doing something superhuman.” He was also well aware of the dangers of finding himself alone in the middle of the Pacific and so decided to carry out a thorough check with a pit stop off Tasmania from 3rd to 6th January. When he set sail again, he was almost a thousand miles behind Pieter Heerema.
When Sébastien Destremau finally left the Southern Ocean, rounding Cape Horn on 29th January, the first six boats had already finished the round the world voyage. As he sailed up the coast of Argentina, 17th placed Pieter Heerema was some 1200 miles ahead. The climb back up the South Atlantic would take three weeks with Destremau finally returning to the Northern Hemisphere on 19th February, but the voyage was far from over, as it would take just under three weeks more to sail from the Equator to the finish line off Les Sables d’Olonne.
During the final fortnight of racing, it was the lack of food that become a worry for the skipper of TechnoFirst-faceOcean. He had to ration himself to one meal a day and his attempts at fishing off the Azores were not enough to provide him with enough food.
The sun is out this morning for this day, which will mark the conclusion of the 8th Vendée Globe. After crossing the finish line last night, Sébastien Destremau managed to get some sleep aboard his boat and was able to eat a few pizzas, which he particularly enjoyed after weeks of rationing his food. Because of the tide, it will be at 1200hrs UTC that the skipper of TechnoFirst-faceOcean will be able to enter the harbour. Given that this is the final boat to complete the round the world race, crowds are expected this afternoon to welcome Destremau. You can follow this arrival on the Vendée Globe facebook page: entrance into the harbour, his first words on the pontoon, the podium and the press conference.
More from the VG website:
Bio and Race resume for Seb.
Although born in Brittany 52 years ago, Sébastien Destremau is now based in Toulon. After an Olympic preparation in the Flying Dutchman class, he took part in several major crewed races, such as the Volvo Ocean Race and the Sydney–Hobart. He later became a consultant, setting up a video magazine covering race news. It was in 2015 that the skipper acquired the Imoca 60 TechnoFirst-faceOcean built in 1998, which had already clocked up two Vendée Globe races – firstly with Josh Hall (9th in 2000-2001) and then with Steve White (8th in 2008-2009). After a delivery trip from Cape Town to Toulon, Sébastien Destremau qualified for the round the world race by competing in the Calero Solo Transat, between Lanzarote and Newport, Rhode Island. Before the start, the French skipper described his boat as being “ultra simple, like a bicycle without gears”.
This inability to step up the speed was confirmed very eartly on in the race, when the skipper, whose only goal was to complete the round the world voyage, found himself at the rear of the fleet. He would attempt to take a short cut close to the coast of Africa, but to no avail. In the third week of racing, his starter motor failed and following in the footsteps of Michel Desjoyeaux, he was forced to come up with an alternative method to start his engine to fill his ballast tanks, using a rope and sail power. Destremau was successful in his makeshift technique, but the method was time consuming.
As he approached the first of the three major capes, Good Hope, the French skipper was joined by Catalan skipper, Didac Costa (OnePlanet- OneOcean). The Spaniard, who had set sail four days after returning to the port of Les Sables d’Olonne after problems with his electronics, soon made his getaway ahead of TechnoFirst-faceOcean, which passed the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope on 11th December. Destremau would set off across the Indian Ocean close to Romain Attanasio, who had been forced to sail to South Africa to carry out repairs. By Cape Leeuwin they were joined by Dutch skipper Pieter Heerema bringing up the rear of the eighth Vendée Globe to the south of Australia. In strong winds, Destremau, who felt no real pressure on him, was quite happy to reduce the sail. “Of course, we’re not as quick, but we may go much further than some.” It was in the Southern Ocean that Destremau fully understood what he was accomplishing. “I can hardly believe it. We are just normal guys, but we’re doing something superhuman.” He was also well aware of the dangers of finding himself alone in the middle of the Pacific and so decided to carry out a thorough check with a pit stop off Tasmania from 3rd to 6th January. When he set sail again, he was almost a thousand miles behind Pieter Heerema.
When Sébastien Destremau finally left the Southern Ocean, rounding Cape Horn on 29th January, the first six boats had already finished the round the world voyage. As he sailed up the coast of Argentina, 17th placed Pieter Heerema was some 1200 miles ahead. The climb back up the South Atlantic would take three weeks with Destremau finally returning to the Northern Hemisphere on 19th February, but the voyage was far from over, as it would take just under three weeks more to sail from the Equator to the finish line off Les Sables d’Olonne.
During the final fortnight of racing, it was the lack of food that become a worry for the skipper of TechnoFirst-faceOcean. He had to ration himself to one meal a day and his attempts at fishing off the Azores were not enough to provide him with enough food.
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NormanB
Well-Known Member
Video of Seb crossing the finish line.
Robert Wilson
Well-Known Member
Well done Sebastian. AT LAST.
I've been away from my laptop since Tuesday and knew nothing of the last few days.
I assumed he was in on Thursday and was gob-smacked a few minutes ago when I logged on to hear he's only JUST in!
Amazing guy, I bet those pizzas seemed like Ambrosia of the Gods!!
And now let's spare a thought for those who didn't make it to the line.
GREAT experience for all of us glued to our screens. Thank you to all involved.
I've been away from my laptop since Tuesday and knew nothing of the last few days.
I assumed he was in on Thursday and was gob-smacked a few minutes ago when I logged on to hear he's only JUST in!
Amazing guy, I bet those pizzas seemed like Ambrosia of the Gods!!
And now let's spare a thought for those who didn't make it to the line.
GREAT experience for all of us glued to our screens. Thank you to all involved.
Roger52
Well-Known Member
The pizzas arrived very quickly after he crossed the finishing line, must find out who he ordered them from, very good service!
doris
Well-Known Member
If I was 15 years youger
Watching him cross the line and reading his blogs, just amazing. I would now be working out how to be on the start line in 4 yeas time but for a few years of excess maturity.
Perhaps with 125 days of provisions!
Watching him cross the line and reading his blogs, just amazing. I would now be working out how to be on the start line in 4 yeas time but for a few years of excess maturity.
Perhaps with 125 days of provisions!
horatio_nelson
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
Thanks NormanB for your sterling work on this thread
Thanks NormanB for your sterling work on this thread
armchairsailor
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
Ok: now what do we do?!
Ok: now what do we do?!
brainstorm
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
Likewise enormous thanks to Norman B for all your updates. The VG website became very empty once the top guys had finished
Likewise enormous thanks to Norman B for all your updates. The VG website became very empty once the top guys had finished
NormanB
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
Thanks.:encouragement:
''Tis true the VG website was a bit sporadic. Hopefully they will have that aspect more polished in 2020.
What do I do now?
Thanks.:encouragement:
''Tis true the VG website was a bit sporadic. Hopefully they will have that aspect more polished in 2020.
What do I do now?
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NormanB
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
Thank you sir, and to you for your good work of yore.:encouragement:
Thanks NormanB for your sterling work on this thread
Thank you sir, and to you for your good work of yore.:encouragement:
NormanB
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
On the subject of Seb and the food situation.
I learned today from Facebook (but cannot attest to the veracity) he allegedly had 120 days of food onboard but lost a pack due to flood damage (which amounted to 10 days worth) so rationed himself to one meal a day some time ago.
He must have lost a fair bit of weight and must have been weak and exhausted towards the end. I would imagine they expend at least 4000 calories a day.
On the subject of Seb and the food situation.
I learned today from Facebook (but cannot attest to the veracity) he allegedly had 120 days of food onboard but lost a pack due to flood damage (which amounted to 10 days worth) so rationed himself to one meal a day some time ago.
He must have lost a fair bit of weight and must have been weak and exhausted towards the end. I would imagine they expend at least 4000 calories a day.
NormanB
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
This was posted on You Tube about an hour ago.
A compilation of Seb crossing the line and then being towed into harbour (guess the jury rig alternator belt had given up) and then podium stuff where he presented 'the key' to the Race Director to shut the door on VG 2016. It was nice to see Rich Wilson, Pieter Herreman and others on the pontoon to meet him. Big crowds too.:encouragement:
This was posted on You Tube about an hour ago.
A compilation of Seb crossing the line and then being towed into harbour (guess the jury rig alternator belt had given up) and then podium stuff where he presented 'the key' to the Race Director to shut the door on VG 2016. It was nice to see Rich Wilson, Pieter Herreman and others on the pontoon to meet him. Big crowds too.:encouragement:
Andrew E
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
Thanks a million Norman B for all the excellent updates which definitely kept the VG alive. This has been a great thread and I'm quite sad to see the VG come to a close.
I'm hoping somebody releases an English documentary on the 2016/17 VG. We need closure.
Thanks a million Norman B for all the excellent updates which definitely kept the VG alive. This has been a great thread and I'm quite sad to see the VG come to a close.
I'm hoping somebody releases an English documentary on the 2016/17 VG. We need closure.
Andrew E
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
Great moment bringing the pizza onboard...
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fTwpXwpQO0
It does look like Seb has lost alot of weight.
Great moment bringing the pizza onboard...
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fTwpXwpQO0
It does look like Seb has lost alot of weight.
NormanB
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
Thanks - I think I will miss it too.:encouragement:
Thanks a million Norman B for all the excellent updates which definitely kept the VG alive. This has been a great thread and I'm quite sad to see the VG come to a close.
I'm hoping somebody releases an English documentary on the 2016/17 VG. We need closure.
Thanks - I think I will miss it too.:encouragement:
NormanB
Well-Known Member
Re: If I was 15 years youger
They have just posted the English version of the compilation of crossing the finish line and arrival in the harbour:
They have just posted the English version of the compilation of crossing the finish line and arrival in the harbour: