Vendee Globe 2028 (Brit bias)

[John_Silver]

Who knew what, when, within team MACIF. Plus the respective roles of Sam, Charlie and Charlotte, for the 2028 Vendee Globe campaign. From SailorZ (was Tip&Shaft) - below the Transat Cafe l'Or (formerly TJV) story.

 

[John_Silver]

Rules for qualification to start the 2028 Vendee Globe

Short version:

 

[John_Silver]

Found a taster video, for the Transat Cafe l'Or, which contains sightings of both Sams (Will this be Sam D's last outing as skipper, of Initiatives, before a handover to Violette?):

and confirmation of the entry list. Filter by class top left. Will Harris is named, as co skipper, aboard 11th Hour.

But not a tracker. There was live English language coverage of the start, from Andi, last time (below). Hopefully more of the same, from that YouTube channel, this time around.

Starts Sunday 26.10.25. Which should help stave off early onset S.A.D. after the clocks going back overnight.

Meanwhile, Le Havre race village is open. With MACIF offering up meet & greet slots with Sam G. See team FB page:

 

[John_Silver]

Sam G "like(s) the idea of winning." Dockside interview pre Transat Cafe l'Or, with co-skipper Lois Berrehar:

Auto translate English subtitles available.

 

[John_Silver]

Will Harris, along with skipper Francesca Clapcich, interviewed - in English

 

[John_Silver]

One Brit missing from the Cafe l'Or startline is Alan Roberts. Will he escape from the 'shadows,' as he modestly describes his succesful racing career to date, to mount a Vendee Globe challenge of his own?

 

[John_Silver]

Another (missing Brit) is Pip. With boat but, seemingly, still without sponsorship. Back from the Ocean Race Europe and out on a speaking tour, with slots available.

 

[John_Silver]

Storm Benjamin due to sweep through the Transat Cafe l'Or start line, off Le Havre, on Friday and Saturday. Named by Meteo France because of its expected impact along the Normandy coast. Meteo Consult sees the Sunday start conditions like this:


Should make for good spectating! Top pic is of the Class40 start last time around.

 

[John_Silver]

Precautionary closure, of the Cafe l'Or race village, announcement carried on the Ultim Boat channel. Wednesday afternoon and all Thursday. Whilst storm Benjamin (hopefully) clears Sunday's start line.

Link to live start coverage on YouTube (in English). If you click through you can set a notification.

Pics from the late Sept blow. Which led to our 9 day stopover in Le Havre. When almost home (E Coast) from a summer in Biscay:



Perfect kite surf conditions.



Waves break over the harbour wall. Pic taken from our foredeck. Doubled springs rigged and required! Cafe l'Or contestants are in an inner basin. So will be spared the surge. But wing masts (on IMOCAs & Ultims) and the 100mph gusts (mentioned in the linked vid) make uneasy bedfellows.



Shipping movements suspended in the docks.



wind surfers out in force.

 

[John_Silver]

Cafe l'Or safety brief. Subtitles in English, once enabled. Le Havre looking windswept and wet! Camera spends its time roving the tightly packed rows of ocean racing royalty, from multiple generations. In light of the 'is boating in a death spiral?' question, an inspiring sight. So many familiar faces, if you enjoy a spot of people watching.....

 

[John_Silver]

Looking spicy, for the start, on Meteo Consult:

 

[John_Silver]

Deleted: Race postponement flash popped up........dated Oct 2023........

 

[John_Silver]

Cafe l’Or podium predictions, for IMOCAs and Ultims, from SailorZ

 

[Cerebus]

Another (missing Brit) is Pip. With boat but, seemingly, still without sponsorship. Back from the Ocean Race Europe and out on a speaking tour, with slots available.

View attachment 200985

What?

I am not up to date with such things.

But no one will offer sponsorship?

After all she has achieved?

 

[John_Silver]

Tracker will appear here ‘bientot.’ After tomorrow's start, I'm guessing. Live coverage here. Starts 12.30 (Think that's UK, not French time, but a notification can be set from the link)

 

[John_Silver]

They’re coming out to play. Pontoon departure coverage (French language) to tide you over until the start (English language coverage)

 

[jlavery]

Three of the Ocean Fifty Tris have capsized.

Transat Café L'or: Three Ocean Fifty trimarans capsize

 

[John_Silver]

Andi (& Brian Thompson) live now. With start coverage. Class40's to stop @ A Coruna. IMOCAs & Ultim's should clear Cap Finisterre before the big blow hits. No pressure!

 

[John_Silver]

Class40's making for IOW and expected to favour the lee of the West Country, en route to A Coruna. Stand by your trackers and binos (if that's your neck of the woods). Ultim's may follow - for boat preservation & to avoid headwinds off the 'Costa da Morta.' Both Brian Thompson top tips, from Cafe l'Or start coverage.

 

[John_Silver]

​

Yoann has hit a buoy, off Ouistreham, at 16kts...... Returning to Le Havre to make repairs. IMOCA fleet fanning out. Thomas Ruyant 'leads.' Sam G match racing Jeremie Beyou, whilst staying inshore, close astern. Armel Tripon, the first skipper to spot the potential of a scow bowed IMOCA, (with the newest boat in this fleet) breaking right, in 4th. Headed out into the Channel, perhaps planning to follow the Class40 route? Long way to go.......

No wind overlay (that I've been able to find, anyway) on the tracker
EDIT: Just found the ‘standard/ expert’ toggle bottom left. Expert = wind / gust / tide / wave overlays

​

Armel's boat setting out for sea trials, from La Trinite, in July.