Lightwave395
Well-Known Member
The horizon is starting to look clearer for those aiming to compete in the 2020 Vendee Globe. On 4th July, they are due to start the Vendee-Arctic-les Sables d'Olonne, a 3600-mile solo ocean race around a big triangle reaching up to the limits of the Arctic Circle. This race with its brand new course organised by the IMOCA class in conjunction with the Sea to See company, and supported by Vendee and the town of Les Sables d'Olonne, is a real prologue for the Vendee Globe. It is something that the racers are looking forward to and will allow them to test their boats, which have recently come out of the yards, while for some it also offers an opportunity to qualify for the non-stop solo round the world race without assistance, which is set to start on 8th November. The event will take place in conditions that respect the public health measures that are in place and will also convey various messages involving medical research, the protection of the oceans and literature.
For several weeks, the IMOCA class and the organisers of the Vendee Globe have been busy finding a replacement for the two solo transatlantic races, which were unable to take place as planned this spring. This alternative has taken shape and has become the Vendee-Arctic-Les Sables d'Olonne. This event was conceived around a 3600-mile long race course, representing ten to twelve days of solo sailing for the first time on IMOCA boats between the coast of France - with the start and finish in Les Sables d'Olonne - the West of Iceland and the North of the Azores. The final list of entrants will be revealed in early June. Permits have already been applied for from the authorities with the support of the French Sailing Federation (FFVoile).
In this race, the fleet will have to sail up to the latitude of 65 degrees North on the edge of the Polar Circle, which is further north than Cape Horn is to the South.
The choice for the start date of 4th July was down to a question of timing:
1/ it offers the skippers sufficient time to test their monohulls after coming out of the yard following their winter refit.
2/ it leaves them plenty of time for technical reasons before the 8th November.
It is highly symbolic that for this dress rehearsal, the start and finish line off Les Sables d'Olonne will be in the same place as for the Vendee Globe.
www.imoca.org/en
www.vendeeglobe.org/en/
For several weeks, the IMOCA class and the organisers of the Vendee Globe have been busy finding a replacement for the two solo transatlantic races, which were unable to take place as planned this spring. This alternative has taken shape and has become the Vendee-Arctic-Les Sables d'Olonne. This event was conceived around a 3600-mile long race course, representing ten to twelve days of solo sailing for the first time on IMOCA boats between the coast of France - with the start and finish in Les Sables d'Olonne - the West of Iceland and the North of the Azores. The final list of entrants will be revealed in early June. Permits have already been applied for from the authorities with the support of the French Sailing Federation (FFVoile).
In this race, the fleet will have to sail up to the latitude of 65 degrees North on the edge of the Polar Circle, which is further north than Cape Horn is to the South.
The choice for the start date of 4th July was down to a question of timing:
1/ it offers the skippers sufficient time to test their monohulls after coming out of the yard following their winter refit.
2/ it leaves them plenty of time for technical reasons before the 8th November.
It is highly symbolic that for this dress rehearsal, the start and finish line off Les Sables d'Olonne will be in the same place as for the Vendee Globe.
www.imoca.org/en
www.vendeeglobe.org/en/
