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IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA

Sunday, 6. November 2016– Tuesday, 31. January 2017

Website: www.vendeeglobe.org/fr/

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Wednesday, March 22, 2017   (Image © Jean-Marie Liot)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Records, records ....

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Records, records .... The 2016/17 Vendée Globe not only provided records on the water, but also ashore. Yesterday, the organisers presented media data and Race Village visitor statistics. The TV coverage of 1236 hours on 97 Channels in 190 countries is twice the volume of the last edition. 71 mio video sessions were called on the official website. The Facebook page had 236'000 followers. And last but not least, the Race Village was visited by 2,25 mio spectators.
The report.
Sunday, March 12, 2017   (Image © Jean-Marie Liot)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - the Media Conference of Sébastien Destremau FRA

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - the Media Conference of Sébastien Destremau FRA Sebastien Destremau FRA, finishing the 2016/7 Vendée Globe - the 8th edition of this solo round-the-world race - yesterday as 18th, was welcomed by over 10'000 enthusiastic spectators at the les Sables d'Olonne harbour. In a Media Conference, he told the impressive story of his race, the adventure with his vintage Open 60, without any chance to keep the speed of the more modern boats.
The report.
Saturday, March 11, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 125

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 125 By midnight last night UTC, Sébastien Destremau FRA crossed the finish line in Les Sables d'Olonne as 18th and last of the 2016/7 Vendée Globe. Light winds delayed the entrance into the harbour and he has been forced to wait for the tide to step ashore. The Frenchman, age 52, was an Olympic campaigner in the FD-Class in the 80ies of last century, participated in the America's Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race and has now finished the Vendée on the oldest boat of all participants, even without canting keel, achieving his personal objective.
The news and the videos.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 122

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 122 The 18th and last finisher of the 2016/7 Vendée Globe, Sébastien Destremau FRA, is on the final approach with 475 nm left to Les Sables d'Olonne that he will reach by Friday afternoon. His emergency reserves have come to an end, and during the past days, Destremau was at an absolute minimum of food. He attempted in vain to catch fresh fish.
The news with video and the race tracker.
Friday, March 3, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 117

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 117 Yesterday evening just before 22 h UTC, Pieter Heerema NED, age 65, finished the Vendée Globe as 17th. Inspite of his little experience - he sailed an Open60 yacht for the first time a year ago - he succeed to bring his boat home safely. The news.
The last skipper underway is now Sébastien Destremau FRA sailing in northern trade winds. His journey over the remaining 1'700 nm will last another 8 days.
The race tracker, all reports and the videos.
Thursday, March 2, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 116

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 116 Pieter Heerema NED, age 65, will cross the finish line in Les Sables d'Olonne as 17th this evening. He had 190 nm to sail this morning UTC. The news. Left is then only Sébastien Destremau FRA who will spend another 8 days underway. His food supply has been substantially rationed for quite some time, and he tries no to grasp some extra-calories by fishing. The video.
The race tracker and the event website.
Sunday, February 26, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 112

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 112 The arrival of Conrad Coleman NZL in Les Sables two days ago was much more as a normal finish and caused not only a stir because of his perstistence to finish the race under jury rig achieving speeds of up to 7 kn, but also as being the first to round the world on renewable energies only. The electric power generator to feed all equipment was working on wind, water and solar energies. The report.
Saturday, February 25, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 111

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 111 It was not to avoid ! Conrad Coleman NZL sailing under jury rig could not defend his 15th place and had to let pass Romain Attanasio FRA more than twice as fast. After 110 days underway, the French finished 4 hours before the herioc Colman. Now, only Pieter Heerema NED, ETA probably next Thurday, and Sébastien Destremau FRA are the only ones still racing. The Frenchman is sailing in the northern trade winds and will arrive in Les Sables around March 10.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos, a.o. showing the astonishing jury rig of Conrad Colman NZL assembled under difficult considersable wind and wave conditions.
Friday, February 24, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 110 - Duel on the finish line

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 110 - Duel on the finish line Didac Costa ESP arrived yesterday morning in Les Sables d'Olonne FRA. The event website informs with all reports, interviews and videos. Today, two more Vendée Globe finishers are expected, a duel with unequal arms: Conrad Coleman NZL still on rank 15 under jury rig and rear winds sails now at speeds around 8 kn. This morning UTC, the arrival was 68 nm away. Romain Attanasio FRA 70 nm behind the Kiwi, is progressing almost twice as fast and the final outcome might well be decided this afternoo on the last miles only.
The race tracker and the news.
Thursday, February 23, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 109

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 109 At press deadline this morning (6 a.m. UTC), Didac Costa ESP was just about to cross the Vendée Globe finish line off Les Sables d'Olonne as 14th. His Open60 was damaged just after the start, and he had to return for repairs and restart one week later with an impressive comeback around the world. Conrad Colman NZL sailing under jury rig has now reached westerly winds and hopes to finish the race by next Saturday, with 218 nm to go this morning UTC. The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Wednesday, February 22, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 108, Wilson USA arrived as 13th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 108, Wilson USA arrived as 13th By noon yesterday, Rich Wilson USA arrived in Les Sables d'Olonne and is with his 66 years the eldest finisher of the Vendée Globe ever on his Open 60 'Great American', the former 'Mirabaud' of Dominique Wavre SUI. 195 nm are left for Didac Costa ESP this morning, and he will be expect at Les Sables by midnight. The next to arrive will hopefully be Conrad Coleman NZL forced to sail upwind very slowly yesterday with his jury rig. Finally today, he should reach westerly winds pushing him towards the finish.
The race viewer, the news and the videos - among others from Rich Wilson USA who was escorted by a dolphin family shortly before the arrival.
Monday, February 20, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 106, Wilson USA now 13th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 106, Wilson USA now 13th Alan Roura SUI was only a few miles from the finish of the Vendée Globe this morning and he will be expected in Les Sables d'Olonne by 9h CET as 12th. To conclude the race - as the youngest skipper - after 106 day on a 16-year-old Open 60 (the former Super-Bigou of Bernard Stamm SUI, who never saw the arrival with this boat) is a remarkable performance and the best among the old-generation Open60s. His report.
As next, Rich Wilson USA - the eldest participant - will reach the finish on Wednesday. He passed Conrad Colman NZL/USA sailing slowly upwind under jury rig during the past 24 hours. Read Colman's impressive report with photo in Scuttlebutt. As 18th and last, Sébastien Destremau FRA crossed the Equator yesterday. He will be underway for another two weeks.
The race tracker, die news and the videos.
Sunday, February 19, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 105, Wilson USA still 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 105, Wilson USA still 14th Next after Fabrice Amedeo FRA arriving as 11th yesterday morning in Les Sables d'Olonne, it will be Alan Roura SUI to finish his first Vendée Globe. 170 nm were left this morning with Roura decelerated in a lull zone. His arrival will therefore be delayed on Monday morning. Rich Wilson USA is still on the 14th position roughly 125 nm behind Conrad Coleman NZL/USA this morning, but sailing more than twice as fast, he might well overtake the handicapped Coleman in the 550 nm left to Les Sables.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Saturday, February 18, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 104, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 104, Wilson USA 14th Busy days in Les Sables d'Olonne ! After Arnaud Boissières FRA finishing his third Vendée Globe yesterday morning on the 10th place (read news), Fabrice Amedeo FRA was only 30 nm from the arrival at press deadline this morning. On rank 12 will follow Alan Roura SUI now 290 nm away tomorrow Sunday by midnight. Rich Wilson USA still ranked as 14th with roughly 850 nm left this morning is making good speed and will probably pass the handicapped Conrad Colman NZL early next week. Romain Attanasio FRA on rank 16 sailing on the Acores latitude had the visit of a dolphin family yesterday. The video.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Friday, February 17, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 103, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 103, Wilson USA 14th At press deadline (6h UTC), Arnaud Boissières FRA was about to cross the finish line as 10th, his third top-10 Vendée result in a row. Tomorrow Saturday, Fabrice Amedeo FRA will follow, the second rookie (Bizuth) to arrive in Les Sables d'Olonne FRA. Alan Roura SUI, who was making good mileage in the past 24 hours is expeced on Sunday as 12th. Rich Wilson USA is still on the 14th place, but he will most probably finish the race as 13th, as Conrad Coleman NZL/USA under jury rig is moving very slowly only.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Thursday, February 16, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 102, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 102, Wilson USA 14th Late this evening, Arnaud Boissières FRA will arrive in Les Sables d'Olonne as 10th. Fabrice Amedeo FRA just passed Cape Finisterre this morning UTC, 300 nm from the arrival, and will finish the race on Saturday as 11th. On Monday, Alan Roura SUI will complete his first Vendée Globe as 12th, as Conrad Coleman NZL/USA now 12th, but sailing under jury rig very slowly, is now only 200 nm away. Most probably, also Rich Wilson USA on 14th will move up one position at the end of the race.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 101, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 101, Wilson USA 14th The next skipper to arrive tomorrow in Les Sables d'Olonne will be Arnaud Boissières FRA on rank 10. This will be his third finish at the Vendée-Globe, up-to-now only achieved by Armel Le Cléac'h FRA. The news. Fabrice Amedeo FRA passed Conrad Coleman NZL/USA during the night, is now 11th, and had this morning 580 nm to the arrival. The Kiwi-skipper finally succeeded to put the jury rig in place and thanks to a moderate rear wind, he is progressing at speeds around 3 to 4 kn. Rich Wilson USA remains on a solid 14th place, but has been fighting with light and unconstant winds on his course North on the western edge of the fleet.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 100 - Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 100 - Wilson USA 14th Late yesterday afternoon (16:58), Eric Bellion emerged from one of the most prolonged and challenging storms encountered by any of the 29 skippers of the Vendée Globe 2016/17 finishing his first round-the-globe race on the remarkable 9th place and first newcomer (Bizuth). His first impressions during the media conference.
Conrad Coleman NZL, trailing off the Portuguese coast, is trying to assemble a jury rig, helpless to defend his 10th place. Arnaud Boissières FRA has just passed him, and with roughly 500 nm to go, he will arrive in Les Sables in the night of Wednesday to Thursday. Fabrice Amédéo FRA, rank 12, will overtake Coleman NZL today.Rich Wilson USA sailing on rank 14 roughly 500 nm behind Alan Roura SUI is still making good speed but the Acores High ahead will slow him down.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 100 - Alan Roura SUI

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 100 - Alan Roura SUI Late yesterday afternoon (16:58), Eric Bellion emerged from one of the most prolonged and challenging storms encountered by any of the 29 skippers of the Vendée Globe 2016/17 finishing his first round-the-globe race on the remarkable 9th place. His first impressions during the media conference.
Conrad Coleman NZL, trailing off the Portuguese coast, is trying to assemble a jury rig, helpless to defend his 10th place. Arnaud Boissièrs FRA has just passed him, and with roughly 500 nm to go, he will arrive in Les Sables in the night of Wednesday to Thursday. Alan Roura SUI was delayed in the center of the Acores High and his ETA will be next Sunday.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Monday, February 13, 2017   

 Probably late this evening, Eric Bellion FRA will reach the Vendée Globe finish as 9th. Stilll underway without main sail, he moved only slowly yesterday, but with the winds veering Southeast, he is now sailing abeam with the 45m2 gennaker at up to 11 kn. For Conrad Coleman NZL, the sea was to rough yesterday to start with the construction of the jury rig, but today, this should be possible. End of this week, Arnaud Boissières FRA and Fabrice Amedeo FRA will be expected in Les Sables d'Olonne. Rich Wilson USA on rank 14 is still 2'000 nm from the arrival and will finish the race in the second half of next week.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Sunday, February 12, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 98, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 98, Wilson USA 14th The 10 solo skippers still in the race are struggling with the rough conditions on the North Atlantic. Eric Bellion FRA, expected on the coming Monday to finish the Vendée as 9th, had to lower the main sail as the top detatched from the rail. A repair has been impossible for the moment, due to the heavy storm on the Bay of Biscay. Conrad Coleman NZL/USA too has to wait for less wind and waves to construct a jury rig with his broken mast. Rich Wilson USA is still on the 14th position.
The race viewer, the reports and the videos.
Saturday, February 11, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 97 - Conrad Coleman NZL/USA dismasted

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 97 - Conrad Coleman NZL/USA dismasted During the past night, Conrad Coleman NZL on the 10th position lost his mast saiing upwind in a 35 kn wind, and this only 700 nm before the finish line with 97% of his round-the-world race completed ! He tries now to reach Les Sables d'Olonne under jury rig, but no doubt, he would loose some ranks. The news. Eric Bellion FRA - he too fighting in a 30 kn north-easterly upwind - had 450 nm left this morning. His ETA is now Sunday evening. Rich Wilson USA lites]Alan Roura SUI[/URL] was 2'300 nm away from Les Sables d'Olonne this morning. After the incident of Coleman, he will probably move up on rank 13 overall.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos, among others of Sébastien Destremau FRA, with the "Samba fever" aboard off Rio.
Friday, February 10, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 96, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 96, Wilson USA 14th Eric Bellion FRA holding the 9th position in the approach to Les Sables d'Olonne with about 700 nm to go is challenge by a stormy westwind low pressure system on the North Atlantic with wind speeds of up to 70 kn. With no improvements predicted, he decided to limit the stress by deviating eastwards. Conrad Coleman NZL following on rank 10 could reduce his backlog on Bellion FRA to 180 nm during the past 24 hours. The participants behind are shaken by the rough upwind course as well. Rich Wilson USA, still on rank 14, having opted to sail North on the western edge of the course, has passed the Cape Verdes Island latitude. Today, Pieter Heerema NED will cross the Equator.
The tace tracker, the reports and the videos.
Thursday, February 9, 2017   (Image © Olivier Blanchet)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 95, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 95, Wilson USA 14th Yesterday morning, Nandor Fa HUN finished the race in Les Sables d'Olonne and the Hungarian skipper, age 63, was more than happy to have arrived on the excellent 8th position in a very competitive fleet, much stronger as the one in his first Vendée Globe in 1992 that he finished as 5th. The next to arrive will be Eric Bellion FRA who is expected on Sunday, and shortly after, Conrad Coleman NZL, who also holds a US passport, will terminate his Vendée. Another about 13 days will pass until the arrival of Rich Wilson USA on rank 14.
The race viewer, the daily news and the videos.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 94

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 94 100 nm were left for Nandor FA HUN this morning UTC and he will finish the Vendée Globe this afternoon as 8th. The next to cross the finish line will be Eric Bellion FRA expected in Les Sables on the coming weekend, but before this, he will have to spend some rough days with winds of up to 50 kn. Rich Wilson USA] is making good progress in the northerly trade winds, still sailing unchallenged on rank 14.
The Race-Viewer, die reports and the videos.
Tuesday, February 7, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 93, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 93, Wilson USA 14th Tomorrow evening, Nandor Fa HUN is expected to reach Les Sables d'Olonne as 8th. This Hungarian sailor, age 63, participated already in 1992 Vendée Globe 1992. This time, his self-constructed Open 60 with foil appendages has survived the load stress during over 90 days ......... with 430 nm to go by this morning UTC. Rich Wilson USA (still on rank 14) has a 150 nm advantage on the 15th Didac Costa ESP roughly 3'000 nm Les Sables.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Monday, February 6, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 92, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 92, Wilson USA 14th The Open 60s sailing the final distance on the North Atlantic are confronted with a number of depression fronts with winds of up to 50 kn, a stress test for the tired skippers and the strained boats. Nandor Fa HUN is scheduled to arrive in Les Sables in 36 hours. Rich Wilson USA still sailing on the 14th position crossed the Equator yesterday.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Sunday, February 5, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 91

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 91 Part of the 11 participants still in the race had rather difficult 24 hours. Nandor Fa HUN, age 63, who is expected in Les Sables d'Olonne as 8th in the night of Tueday to Wednesday, had to fight with a passing depression front with wind speeds of up to 50 kn. Alan Roura SUI sailing in the doldrums on rank 13 had a night full of interruptions about every 10 minutes to manoeuvre and to adjust the sails. But now, he has reached the northern trade winds with 3'000 nm or about 14 days left to the finish.
The , the [URL=wxw.vendeeglobe.org/fr/actualites]news and the videos.
Saturday, February 4, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 90, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 90, Wilson USA 14th The 13th participant having crossed the Equator was Alan Roura SUI yesterday. He has now a few days with rough conditions ahead, sailing upwind with fresh up to 30 kn trade winds. The next to enter the Northern Hemisphere will be Rich Wilson USA as 14th. On Thursday, Nandor Fa HUN will arrive in Les Sables d'Olonne as 8th.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos.
Friday, February 3, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 89, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 89, Wilson USA 14th Louis Burton FRA, age 27, finished the 2016/7 Vendée Globe yesterday morning as 7th. With his 10-year-old Open60, he is on rank 3 of the non-foiling boats. Despite of rain and stormy winds, a big crowed welcomed him at les Sables d'Olonne. Here the video.
Next to arrive will be Nandor Fa HUN who was 1'600 nm (approx. 6 days) from the arrival. Rich Wilson USA still on position 14 will cross the Equator on the coming weekend.
The sailing-news.ch/admin1_0/index1.php?vm=99&vi=41690&s=1&vflip=0&vmode=modeStarter&vfolder=&vsearch=oura.com/index.php/les-actualites]race tracker[/URL], the reports and the videos.
Thursday, February 2, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 88

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 88 Around 8 a.m. UTC today, Louis Burton FRA will arrive at the finish of the Vendée Globe in Les Sables d'Olonne. The news. The remaining 11 competitors are sailing North on the Atlantic Ocean in favorable conditions. Arnaud Boissière FRA and Fabrice Amedeo FRA crossed the Equator yesterday and Alan Roura SUI on rank 13 will be the next to enter the Northern Hemisphere tomorrow.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos.
Wednesday, February 1, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 87, Rich Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 87, Rich Wilson USA 14th 344 nm were left this morning for Louis Burton FRA to cross the finish line and he is now expected in Les Sables d'Olonne tomorrow morning. Arnaud Boissières FRA on rank 11 is the next to pass the Equator. Rich Wilson USA, still on rank 14 with considerable distances to the boats ahead and behind, is trailing in light and unconstant winds around 8 kn along the Brazil Coast, and is therefore kept busy manoeuvering to avoid the calms.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos.
Monday, January 30, 2017   (Image © Jean-Marie Liot)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 86, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 86, Wilson USA 14th With Sébastien Destremau FRA rounding Cape Horn yesterday, all 12 Open60s still in the race are now sailing on the Atlantic Ocean. Louis Burton on rank 7 was 1'000 nm off the finish this morning, and the expected time of arrival is Wednesday. Next to finish will then be Conrad Coleman NZL on rank 9 holding a US passport as well (see video) who will cross the Equator today. Rich Wilson USA, 250 nm behind rank 13 and 300 nm ahead of the 15th position is on a solid 14th place.
The race viewer, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Friday, January 27, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 82, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 82, Wilson USA 14th The next Vendée Globe skipper to conclude the race will be Louis Burton FRA finishing as 7th, but he is still 2'000 nm from the Sables d'Olonne. The positions of all 12 boats still in the race seem to be fixed. Rich Wilson USA on rank 14 is now Alan Roura on rank 13 is now 200 nm behind rank 13. The only one still on the Pacific Ocean is Sébastien Destremau FRA expected to round Cape Horn on the coming weekend.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Thursday, January 26, 2017   (Image © Jean-Marie Liot)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 81, Rich Wilson 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 81, Rich Wilson 14th Vendée Globe history was made yesterday when three solo skippers crossed the finish line at one after the other within three hours of each other, the closest finish between a trio of boats since the solo non-stop around the world race was first contested in 1989. Jean Pierre Dick FRA secured the 4th place. Yann Eliès crossed the line on 5th one hour and 25 minutes after Dick. One hour and 30 minutes later, Jean Le Cam terminated the Vendée on rank 6. It will take another 7 days till Eric Burton FRA will reach the finishing line as 7th. Rich Wilson USA is still sailing on rank 14.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 80, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 80, Wilson USA 14th After the first three finishers, the interest is now on the close battle of Jean-Pierre Dick FRA, Yann Eliès FRA and Jean Le Cam FRA separated by 18 nm only 90 nm before the finish line and everything is possible with the ranks 4 to 6. Rich Wilson USA is still sailing unchallenged on rank 14. The second-last Vendée participant Pieter Heerema NED rounded Cape Horn yesterday, and Sébastien Destremau FRA is the last competitor still on the Pacific Ocean, apparently with difficulties as the race tracker reveals. With a speed of 1,6 kn in fresh winds, he barely has been making any progress in the last hours.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the
videos
.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017   (Image © Olivier Blanchet)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 79, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 79, Wilson USA 14th Yesterday evening, Jérémy Béyou FRA arrived in the Sables d'Olonne as 3rd, his first Vendée finish in his third start at the Solo Round-the-Globe Regatta. The news. Tomorrow Wednesday, Jean-Pierre Dick FRA, Yann Eliès FRA and Jean Le Cam FRA will arrive in the Sables d'Olonne.Rich Wilson USA, still sailing unchallenged on rank 14, is enjoying good conditions with warm temperatures on the South Atlantic.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos.
Monday, January 23, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 78, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 78, Wilson USA 14th Jérémy Béyou FRA on the 3rd position is stalling in an high pressure cell shortly before the finishs and made only 96 nm in the past 24 hours. 630 nm behind, the race for rank 4 is going on, but Jean-Pierre Dick FRA has been able to distance Yann Eliès FRA and Jean Le Cam FRA by 50 respectively 80 nm. Rich Wilson USA sailing along the Brazil Coast is 14th.
The race tracker, the daily news and the videos.
Sunday, January 22, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 77, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 77, Wilson USA 14th After the triumphal reception of the first and second Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and Alex Thomson GBR, 16 competitors remain in the race. Jérémy Béyou FRA on the 3rd place is battling with light winds on Bay of Biscay, and his arrival has been delayed on Monday evening. New on rank 4 is Jean Le Cam FRA, but Jean-Pierre Dick FRA and Yann Eliès FRA are only a few miles behind. The trio is north of the Acores roughly 1'000 nm before the finish. Rich Wilson USA is sailing unchallenged on the South Atlantic on the 14th position.
The race tracker, the daily news and the videos.
Saturday, January 21, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 76

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 76 After a tight duel between the winner Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and Alex Thomson GBR during the whole circumnavigation, Thomson finished the race in the Sables d'Olonne yesterday as 2nd with a backlog of only 16 hours. As next, Jérémy Béyou FRA will be expected on Monday morning. The ranks 4 to 6 will be much disputed as Yann Eliès FRA and Jean Le Cam FRA have almost joined Jean-Pierre Dick FRA and this trio will finish the race in a close in-fight. With Pieter Heerema NED and Sébastien Destremau FRA on the ranks 17 and 18, only two participants are still sailing on the Pacific Ocean.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Friday, January 20, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 75 - Victory and record for Armel Le Cléac'h FRA

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 75 - Victory and record for Armel Le Cléac'h FRA Armel Le Cléac'h FRA with his Open 60 'Banque Populaire' crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe solo around-the-world race yesterday afternoon in the new record time of 74 days and 3 hours. Here the report and the videos..
This morning around 7 a.m. UTC, Alex Thomson GBR will finish the race as runner-up. The news. Rich Wilson USA keeps the 14th position.
The race tracker and the reports.
Thursday, January 19, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 74 - Armel Le Cléac'h FRA will finish first this afternoon !

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 74 - Armel Le Cléac'h FRA will finish first this afternoon ! 147 nm were left for Armel Le Cléac'h FRA early this morning to the finish in Les Sables d'Olonne. With an 87 nm advantage on Alex Thomson GBR, Le Cléac'h with his 'Banque Populaire' is on a safe way to finish the Vendée Globe 2016/17 as first, and only a major equipment failure could stop him from winning. He will arrive in Les Sables this afternoon in the new record time of 75 days and a few hours. Alex Thomson GBR will arrive roughly 8 hours later. Eliès FRA on rank 4 has been joined by the closely sailing duo Jean Le Cam FRA and Jean-Pierre Dick FRA. Rich Wilson USA is still on rank 14 after rounding Cape Horn, and has 6'436 nm to the finish ahead.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
The arrival this afternoon probably around 16 hrs CET will be broadcast live on the Internet.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 72, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 72, Wilson USA 14th Yesterday, Alex Thomson GBR achieved a new 24 hours' one-hand record with 536,9 nm (994 km, watch the video), but at the end, the wind calmed and the backlog on the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA remained stable with 76 nm. The duo is now already on the latitude of Les Sables d'Olonne, and Armel Le Cléac'h FRA was only 600 nm from the finish this morning. However, a big lull zone blocks the direct course and easterly winds will force the duo to sail upwind .... nothing has been decided yet ! The positions 3 to 10 seem pretty firm, but the group of four with Rich Wilson USA, that rounded Cape Horn yesterday, is closer together.
The race tracker, the daily news and the videos.
Monday, January 16, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 71, Wilson 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 71, Wilson 14th The race to the Vendée Globe finish line became an all-out, neck-and-neck sprint as after several days of slow progress north in light winds, Armel Le Cléac'h and Alex Thomson are now chasing towards the home straight of the solo round the world race in winds of up to 30 knots. The margin between them now 1'000 nm from Les Sables off the Portugues coast was steadily decreasing, and Alex Thomson GBR, covering 560 nm during the last 24 hours, is now only 71 nm behind the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA. Fabrice Amedeo FRA and Arnaud Boissières FRA rounded Cape Horn during the past night in stormy winds, and this morning, the youngest and oldest skippers of the fleet, Alan Roura SUI and Rich Wilson USA, will pass the most southern point of the Americas as well.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Sunday, January 15, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 70, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 70, Wilson USA 14th The leader duo passed the Canaries and is now heading straight to Cape Finisterre pushed by a well-established rear wind. The backlog of Alex Thomson GBR on Armel Le Cléac’h FRA was 109 nm this morning. The remaining 1'450 nm to the finish will probably be a drag race. Action will be ahead of the group of 4 on the ranks 10 to 14, including Rich Wilson USA on the 14th place, approaching Cape Horn where a 50 kn storm will stress boats and skippers to the utmost.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Saturday, January 14, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 69, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 69, Wilson USA 14th The duel on top of the fleet continued yesterday and will probably last to the finish in the Sables d'Ollone FRA, estimated time of arrival next Thursday. Yesterday, Alex Thomson GBR reduced the backlog on Armel Le Cléach'h FRA in the still shaky winds West of the Canaries to 127 nm. Tomorrow Sunday, the group of four with Rich Wilson USA (rank 14) will round Cape Horn.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Friday, January 13, 2017   (Image © Fabrice Amedeo)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 68, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 68, Wilson USA 14th As expected, the low pressure zone over the Canaries decelerated the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA, and until this morning UTC, Alex Thomson GBR reduced the backlog by 80 nm and sails still 3 kn faster than Le Cléac'h FRA. The backlog was down on 177 nm this morning. Jean-Pierre Dick FRA on rank 4 crossed the Equator yesterday and he will probably reduce the deficit on the leading group even more. On Sunday, there will be high traffic around Cape Horn as the group of four with Rich Wilson USA (still on rank 14) is in the approach.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Thursday, January 12, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 67, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 67, Wilson USA 14th Yesterday, the leading duo Le Cléac'h FRA and Thomson GBR finally reached light trade winds, and Armel Le Cléac'h FRA slightly increased his advantage to 250 nm by this morning UTC. Today, it will be Alex Thomson's turn to reduce the backlog again, as a considerable lull patch blocks the way to the Canaries. Conrad Coleman NZL rounded Cape Horn this morning as 10th. 8 participants are still sailing on the Pacific, among them Rich Wilson USA as 14th.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 66, Wilson 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 66, Wilson 14th "It’s different from the usual scenario and I’m at the limit of my understanding of the weather” comments Armel Le Cléac'h FRA the situation north of the Equator with complicated wind patches ahead. A low pressure system over the Canaries is disturbing the usual trade winds. Nevertheless, Le Cléac'h FRA succeeded to enhance his advantage on Alex Thomson GBR again to 179 nm. The hunt with stop and go phases will continue during the coming days. Jérémy Béyou FRA on the 3rd place however will proably be able to sail in normal North Atlantic trade wind conditions allowing him to reduce the backlog of presently 700 nm. Rich Wilson USA is still sailing in moderate winds on the South Pacific holding the 14th place in a group of now four, separated by 100 nm only.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 65, Rich Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 65, Rich Wilson USA 14th Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and 91 nm behind Alex Thomson GBR moved only slowly in the light northern trade winds yesterday, and Jérémy Béyou FRA as 3rd, about to cross the Equator today, reduced the backlog on 578 nm. Eric Bellion FRA and Conrad Coleman NZL on the rank 9 and 10 are in the approach of Cape Horn. Rich Wilson USA remains on the 14th place.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos
Monday, January 9, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 64, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 64, Wilson USA 14th Across the Doldrums, Alex Thomson GBR reduced the backlog on the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA to 68 nm, and in the remaining 2'600 nm (roughly 8 days) to the finish, the duel will get fiercer and fiercer in the very unconstant wind condition ahead. To be considered also, that Thomson GBR will be able to sail on starboard, the tack where Alex can use the intact foil of his Open 60, proven to be fast in low speed foiling conditions. Today, the surprising Nandor Fa HUN on his self-built boat will round Cape Horn as 8th. Meanwhile, the group of 6 on the ranks 9 to 14 with Rich Wilson USA on 14th is trailing on the South Pacific partly in total lull patches.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Sunday, January 8, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 63, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 63, Wilson USA 14th The leading duo has been and still is battling with difficult variable conditions in the doldrums, but today, Armel Le Cléac'h FRA will probably reach the northern trade winds, however light for the moment. The weather forecast for the remaining miles back to France is atypical and major changes are not excluded. Alex Thomson GBR is only 148 nm back. The bulk of the Vendée fleet sailing on the South Pacific is benefitting from stable moderate winds. Rich Wilson USA remains on rank 14.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Saturday, January 7, 2017   (Image © Rich Wilson)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 62, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 62, Wilson USA 14th Armel Le Cléac'h FRA crossed the Equator yesterday with a 145 nm advantage on Alex Thomsom GBR and had 3'150 nm left to the finish. The excessive innertropical convergence zone extended far north with its variable conditions will probably be the last opportunity for the Brit to close the gap on the French. Rich Wilson SUI remains 14th and will sail on the South Pacific for another week.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Friday, January 6, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 61, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 61, Wilson USA 14th The leading duo will cross the Equator today with the uncertainties of the innertropical convergence zone, a chance for Alex Thomson GBR to further reduce the backlog of 321 nm this morning UTC. Otherwise, the positions seem to be quite stable. Rich Wilson USA remains on rank 14 crossing the South Pacific.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Thursday, January 5, 2017   (Image © Alan Roura)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 60, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 60, Wilson USA 14th The difficult wind conditions over the South Atlantic persisted also yesterday and the leading duo Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and Alex Thomson GBR moved on tediously only. Le Cléac'h FRA extended his lead on 300 nm in the unconstant southern trade winds that might last to the Equator. Rich Wilson USA is still in the middle of the South Pacific on rank 13 with approximately 7 days left to Cape Horn.
The race viewer, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Wednesday, January 4, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 59, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 59, Wilson USA 14th The leading duo is still fighting with light and variable winds along the Brazilian coast. Armel le Cléac'h FRA was 216 nm in front of Alex Thompson GBR. Jérémy Béyou FRA on the 3rd place however was progressing at good speeds and reduced the backlog on Thomson by 200 nm on 400 nm this morning. Louis Burton FRA has just passed Cape Horn as 7th. He was the first who had to sail upwind in a south-easterly wind when passing this last major waypoint. Rich Wilson USA remains on rank 14.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 58, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 58, Wilson USA 14th The leading duo has been trailing longer as expected along the Brazilian coas at low speeds, and with barely 200 nm in the past 24 hours, they were the slowest of the fleet. Alex Thomson GBR reduced the backlog on Armel le Cléac'h FRA to 136 nm. According to the latest forecasts, Thomson will reach the trade winds as first as first by this evening. Rich Wilson USA kept his 14th place yesterday in the fresh up to 40 kn wind.
The race tracker, the daily news and the videos.
Monday, January 2, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 57, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 57, Wilson USA 14th Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and Alex Thomson GBR 168 nm back continued their duel along the Brazilian coast in light winds during the past 24 hours. Today, Le Cléac'h FRA will touch the southern trade winds as first and extend the lead on Thomson GBR by some miles again, but a few hours later, the Englishman will also benefit of the fresher breeze and be able to sail ideally on the intact foil appendage of his damaged Open 60. A tight duel is also on for rank 5 with Yann Eliès FRA 15 nm ahead of Jean Le Cam FRA, battling for the best non-foiler classification. Incident of the day was the dismasting of Edna O'Coineen IRL, forced to abandong the race South of New Zealand. Rich Wilson USA stays on rank 14.
The race tracker,ther news of this morning UTC and the videos.
Sunday, January 1, 2017   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 56, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 56, Wilson USA 14th After the comeback of Alex Thomson GBR, the leading duo is now sailing in the same weather systerm and the gap between the two does not vary much. This morning, Armel le Cléac'h FRA was 185 nm ahead of Thomson GBR. Today, they will probably reach the southern trade winds. Alan Roura SUI sailing in the middle of the South Pacific is keeping the 14th place.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the videos.
Saturday, December 31, 2016   (Image © Pieter Heerema)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 55, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 55, Wilson USA 14th The leading duo has accelerated again off the Brazilian coast with Armel Le Cléac'h FRA first extending his lead on Alex Thomson GBR again on 150 nm. Rich Wilson USA is in the middle of the South Pacific still on rank 14 with a 6'000 nm backlog. The race tracker, the news of this morning and the videos.
Friday, December 30, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 54, Wilson USA 14th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 54, Wilson USA 14th The sensational comeback of Alex Thomson GBR continued yesterday and this morning, his backlog on the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA was down on only 29 nm. But now, Thomson has been slowed down by lighter winds as well, while Le Cléac'h FRA touched a somewhat fresher breeze sailing now quicker as the Englishman. The weather situation over the South Atlantic is very instable and there is some time left until the duo will reach the southern trade winds. No position changes in the rest of the fleet. Rich Wilson USA stays on rank 14 in the mid-fleet.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the videos.
Thursday, December 29, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 53

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 53 As expected, Alex Thompson GBR reduced the gap on the leading Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and was 197 nm behind this morning. 7 kn faster as Le Cléac'h FRA, he might will reach him soon. Today, Jean-Pierre Dick FRA and Jean Le Cam FRA rounded Cape Horn as 4th and 5th. In the closely packed mid-fleet group, Rich Wilson USAadvanced one position and is now 14th.
The race tracker, the daily news and the videos.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 53, Wilson USA 15th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 53, Wilson USA 15th Another day with lulls for the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA on the South Atlantic, while the first challenger Alex Thompson GBR profitted from better conditions and reduced the backlog again with some miles. This morning UTC, he was 281 nm behind. Jérémy Béyou FRA rounded Cape Horn yesterday as 3rd. No position changes in the rest of the fleet. Rich Wilson USA maintains his 15th place.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the videos.
Tuesday, December 27, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 51, Wilson USA 15th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 51, Wilson USA 15th Inspite of a backlog of almost 300 nm, the race for the lead at the Vendée Globe is still open after 50 race days. The leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA has been slowed down by lulls in the South Atlantic, while Alex Thompson GBR has touched favorable conditions heading directly North at good speeds. He reduced his deficit substantially during the past 24 hours to 284 nm this morning. It might well be, that the Englishman will reclaim the lead in the next days. Jérémy Béyou FRA roundet Cape Horn this morning as 3rd. His backlog on the first place was 1'039 nm. Rich Wilson USA is 15th.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the videos.
Monday, December 26, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 50, Wilson USA 15th

Yesterday, Alex Thompson GBR rounded Cape Horn as second and the backlog on the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA was 432 nm this morning CET. Meanwhile the Frenchman has reached fresher winds again and both are sailing at similar speeds. In the second half of the fleet, a group of six is now sailing within 100 nm with Rich Wilson USA on rank 15.
The race tracker, the daily news and the videos.
Sunday, December 25, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 49, Wilson USA 15th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 49, Wilson USA 15th After rounding Cape Horn yesterday, the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA is sailing now in a low-wind zone and the first challenger Alex Thompson GBR could reduce his backlog by over 200 nm. The Englishman will round Cape Horn today with a 480 nm deficit as second. Jérémy Béyou FRA with a 1'291 nm backlog will probably reach the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday. The second half of the mid-fleet is sailing closely together. Alan Roura SUI (rank 13) and Eric Belion FRA were sailing board and board during the whole day, singing Christmas Carols. They slightly reduced the speed to avoid the approaching next depression with winds of up to 60 kn. Rich Wilson USA is one up on rank 14. The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Saturday, December 24, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 48, Wilson USA 15th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 48, Wilson USA 15th After 47 days and 32 minutes, the leading Armel Le Cléac'h FRA rounded Cape Horn smashing the previous record established during the last Vendée four years ago by 5 days and 5 hours. Tomorrow Sunday, Alex Thompson GBR will reach the Atlantic Ocean too. His backlog on Le Cléac'h FRA has grown to 743 nm. The rest of the fleet will have to survive heavy storms in the next days, as three low pressure systems with winds of up to 50 kn are ahead. Rich Wilson USA is still well underway on rank 15 and will advance on rank 14 as Paul Meilhat FRA still ranked 7th will soon abandon the race with his damaged boat.
The race tracker, the news and the videos.
Friday, December 23, 2016   (Image © Armel Le Ceach)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 47, Wilson USA 15th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 47, Wilson USA 15th The leading Armel Le Cléac'h FRA is still enjoying perfect conditions with a 20 kn breeze and is rapidly approaching Cape Horn that he will round by noon today .... 5 days earlier as the record time of François Gabart FRA 4 years' ago. Alex Thompson GBR the first persuer however is trailing in a lull zone and is now 700 nm (roughly 2 days) behind the leader. Rich Wilson USA is now 15th.
The race tracker, the news of today and the videos.
Thursday, December 22, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 46

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 46 19 of the 29 teams are still in the race after 46 days underway, some of them also with minor damages. The clearly leading Armel Le Cléac'h FRA will probably round Cape Horn in moderate conditions Saturday. Alex Thompson GBR has again lost some miles on the leader and is now 567 nm behind, roughly 2 days late when rounding Cape Horn. Paul Meilhat FRA sailing on the 3rd place for a long time, has veered direction North. Heading for New Zealand 1'900 nm away mostly in a rough upwind will be hard on his Open 60 with a canting keel suspension damage. Rich Wilson USA is still on rank 17, but with the elimination of Le Diraison FRA and Meilhat FRA due to equipment damages, he will soon advance on the 15th place.
The race tracker, the news and the Vendée video channel.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 45

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 45 Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and 500 nm back Alex Thompson GBR are in the approach of Cape Horn. Action behind the leading duo, as the 4th-ranked Paul Meilhat FRA announced a defect at the suspension of the canting keel. At least, he was able to fix it in a center position. Whether he will be able to continue the race with his disabled Open 60 remains to be seen. South of Australia, Alan Roura SUI, new on rank 13, is now leading the second half of the fleet. Stéphane Diraison FRA with his damaged Open 60 is on the way to New Zealand, where Thomas Ruyant FRA with his boat about to break apart successfully arrived already in the harbour of Bluff on South New Zealand.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 44, Wilson USA 16th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 44, Wilson USA 16th No position changes during the last 24 hours: Armel Le Cléac'h FRA remains on top and will probably round Cape Horn before Christmas. Alex Thompson GBR has finally touched a fresher breeze and kept the backlog on the Frenchman at 510 nm. Paul Meilhat FRA and Jérémy Béyou FRA on the ranks 3 and 4 are still sailing jointly, separated by 8 nm only. Two retirements are expected in the coming hours. Stéphane Diraison FRA with a broken mast is heading for Australia under jury rig and Thomas Ruyant FRA, whose Open 60 is about to break apart after a heavy crash with flotsam. Here the onboard video. Rich Wilson USA, still positioned as 16th, will move up on rank 14 after the expected abandonments.
The race tracker, the report of this morning and the videos.
Monday, December 19, 2016   (Image © Jean-Marie Liot)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 41, Wilson USA 15th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 41, Wilson USA 15th Approaching the Cape Horn, the situation turns more and more in favour of the leading Armel Le Cléac’h FRA who extended his lead on Alex Thomson GBR to 511 miles. Sailing in fresher breeze, he is making 5 kn more as Thomson and the gap will increase again in the next 24 hours. Thomas Ruyant FRA on rank 8 collided with an unidentified object and his Open 60 has severe hull damages with a water ingress. He is on the way to New Zealand, but will rather be difficult for him to repair the alone without assistance. Rich Wilson USA is now 15th and will move up one rank today on 14th after the incident of Thomas Ruyant FRA.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the Vendée video channel.
Sunday, December 18, 2016   (Image © Alan Roura)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 41, Wilson USA 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 41, Wilson USA 17th Yesterday, Armel Le Cléac’h FRA extended his lead on Alex Thomson GBR to 442 nm, but he was slowed down this morning in a lull zone. The incident of the day was the dismasting of Stéphane Le Diraison FRA on rank 10. Rich Wilson USA is on the 17th place but with Le Diraison FRA abandoning, he will advance on rank 16.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the Vendée video channel.
Friday, December 16, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 40, Wilson USA 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 40, Wilson USA 17th After 40 days of close racing, the leading duo seems to split as in the low-wind zone between two weather systems, Armel Le Cléac'h FRA opted for the better strategy on a more southern course. He extended the lead on Alex Thompson GBR to 370 nm (roughly one day), and until the Cape Horn about one week away, this advantage may even double ! 1200 nm behind follows Jérémy Béyou FRA new on rank 3, but Paul Meilhat FRA is only 16 nm back. The second half of the now 22 boats' fleet approaching Cape Leeuwin on the Southwest point of Australia will encounter a 50 kn plus storm today. Rich Wilson USA still on rank 17 will live the fiercest hours of the race this evening.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the Vendee-TV-channel.
Thursday, December 15, 2016   (Image © Armel Le Cleach)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 39, Wilson USA 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 39, Wilson USA 17th Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and Alex Thompson GBR have meanwhile sailed roughly half the distance from New Zealand to Cape Hoorn. Slowed down in a lull zone between two low pressure systems, they have lost over 200 nm of their lead to the persuers yesterday. Le Cléac'h FRA extended his lead on Thompson to 300 nm. Paul Meilhat FRA on rank 3 is 900 nm behind the Brit. Rich Wilson USA is 17th.
The race tracker, the news of the day and the Vendée TV-channel.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 38, Wilson USA 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 38, Wilson USA 17th The leading duo heading for Cape Hoorn is sailing in a decreasing breeze, while the trio on the ranks 5 to 7 is now shaken by a storm front with windspeeds exceeding 50 kn. Jean Le Cam FRA staying on a straight course profitted the most moving up on rank 6, only 50 nm behind Jean-Pierre Dick FRA. The leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA was 240 nm ahead of Alex Thompson GBR this morning. Rich Wilson USA is now on the 17th place.
The race tracker, the news of the day and the Vendée TV video channel.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 37, Wilson USA 18th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 37, Wilson USA 18th The fleet was stretched even more yesterday and the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA extended his advantage on Alex Thompson GBR to 175 nm. Today, the second chasing trio on the ranks 5 to 7 (Eliès FRA, Dick FRA, Le Cam FRA) will hit the storm with wind speeds exceeding 50 kn. Only Jean Le Cam stays on course, while the other two try to avoid the full strength of the wind deviating northwards. Rich Wilson USA remained on rank 18. The race tracker, the news of this morning and the Vendée TV channel.
Monday, December 12, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 36, Wilson USA 18th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 36, Wilson USA 18th The lull conditions in the center of the low pressure system on the way of the Vendée fleet decelerated the leading boats and the advantage of Armel le Cléac'h FRA as first on Alex Thompson GBR 2nd was only 76 nm this morning. Paul Meilhat FRA and Jérémy Béyou FRA remain the first persuers. Very rough conditions will prevail for the following trio Yann Eliés FRA, Jean-Pierre Dick FRA and Jean Le Cam FRA in the coming 48 hours passing the front with wind speeds of 50-55 kn. Rich Wilson USA remains on rank 18.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the Vendee TV channel.
Sunday, December 11, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 35, Wilson USA 18th

After a rough week with fresh winds and a number of abandonments and repair stops, the situation has calmed down somewhat. Romain Attanasio FRA could repair the rudders damaged by flotsam in a bay near Capetown, and is back in the race. Arnaud Boissières FRA too was able to fix the top of his main sail. The leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA is now clearly ahead of Alex Thompson GBR with a 180 nm advantage. Rich Wilson USA is on position 18.
The race tracker, the reports and the video channel.
Saturday, December 10, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 34, Wilson 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 34, Wilson 17th The leading duo Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and Alex Thompson GBR were again the fastest yesterday with speeds around 20 kn. South of New Zealand, Armel Le Cléac'h FRA extended his lead to 177 nm. No significant action in the fleet behind. Rich Wilson USA is on the 17th place with chances to improve further as the gaps between the yachts are small. The race tracker, the news of this morning and the Vendée-Globe-TV-channel.
Friday, December 9, 2016   (Image © Romain Attanasio)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 33, Wilson USA 18th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 33, Wilson USA 18th In the South Pacific, the leading duo is being challenged by a 40 kn wind and a turbulent sea, and these conditions will probably last also tomorrow Saturday. The gap of roughly 134 nm between the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and Alex Thompson GBR remained unchanged yesterday. Both have covered more than half of the Pacific crossing. Rich Wilson USA, sailing in the closely packed midfleet, is on rank 18. At the back end of the fleet, Didac Costa ESP and Sébastien Destremau FRA will round Cape of Good Hope today, respectively tomorrow.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the videos on the Vendée TV channel.
Thursday, December 8, 2016   (Image © Romain Attanasio)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 32, Wilson USA 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 32, Wilson USA 17th Today, Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and Alex Thompson GBR 144 nm behind will reach the Pacific Ocean with a rather uncomfortable welcome by a depression with a 40 kn wind. The 3rd-ranked Sébastien Josse FRA has been forced to abandon the race with his damaged boat and is now heading for Australia, reducing the fleet of 29 starters on 22. New on rank 3 is now the Vendée rookie Paul Meilhat FRA, who - with his conventional Open60 - succeeded to follow the pace of the foiler constructions. The closely packed mid-fleet group has now rounded Cape of Good Hope. Rich Wilson USA is now 17th. The backmarkers are Didac Costa ESP, started 4 days late because of a boat damage shortly after crossing the starting line, and now ahead of Sébastien Destremeau FRA.
The race tracker, the news of this morning UTC and the Vendée-TV-channel.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 31

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 31 The elimination race on the South Indian Ocean continues. In the severest collision with flotsam so far, Kito de Pavant FRA damaged the suspension of the canting keel massively causing a leak in the hull. During the past night, the French Marine evaquated de Pavant from his Open60. Eric Bellion FRA sailing on the 18th position capsized after being hit by a 50 kn gust, loosing one of the rudders. Hew is now heading North looking for a sheltered place to repair the damage. The rest of the fleet continues the race direction East. Armel Le Cléac'h FRA had a 112 nm advantage on Alex Thompson GBR this morning.
The race tracker, the news of today and the Vendée-TV-Channel.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016   (Image © Pieter Heerema)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 29, Wilson USA 18th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 29, Wilson USA 18th Much action at the Vendée yesterday on the southern oceans: The leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA rounded Cape Leeuwin on the southwest point of Australia after 28 days and 5 hours smashing the existing record of François Gabart FRA established 4 years ago by 5 days ! Alex Thompson GBR, 81 nm behind Le Cléach'h this morning, remained also far below the old mark. Problems however for the 3rd-ranked Sébastien Josse FRA: One of the foil appendages did not stand the continuous stress and broke partly away. He is now examining if and how an adequate repair is possible. Even worse was the incident of Romain Attanasio FRA sailing in the closely packed mid-fleet, who damaged both rudders in a collision with flotsam. He is now on the way to South Africa to try to repair the Open60 in a sheltered bay. Rich Wilson USA is on the 18th place.
The race tracker, the news of this morning and the Vendée TV channel.
Sunday, December 4, 2016   (Image © Kojiro Shiaishi)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 28, Wilson USA 20th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 28, Wilson USA 20th The main incident during the past 24 hours was the dismasting of Kojiro Shiraishi's JPN Open60 sailing in the big midfleet group on the 13th place. He is now heading under jury-rig for Cape Town only 350 nm away. In the rough conditions, Jérémy Béyou FRA (rank 5) and Arnaud Boissières FRA damaged the top of their main sails, repairable break, but they had to lower the sail for quite some time loosing miles. Armel Le Cléac'h FRA has again taken the lead and was 41 nm ahead of Alex Thompson GBR this morning. Today, a larger group will round Cape of Good Hope. Rich Wilson US is now on rank 20 after the abandonement of Shiraishi JPN.
The race tracker, the report of this morning and the Vendee-Globe-TV-Channel.
Friday, December 2, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 26

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 26 With the wind shifting to southwest on the South-Indian Ocean, Alex Thompson GBR is again on the 'fast tack' with the intact foil appendage. On optimum speed again, he left Armel Le Cléac'h FRA 15 nm behind during the past 24 hours. In roughly two days, both will pass Cape Leeuwin at the southwest point of Australia. 600 nm behind sails the 3rd-ranked Sébastien Josse FRA. Thanks to the fresh winds, the bulk of the fleet is now also in the approach to Cape of Good Hope that has been reached by only 10 of the 25 boats still in the race so far. Alan Roura SUI has been overtaken by Enda O'Coineen IRL and is now 22nd.
The race tracker, the offcial news of this morning and the Vendée-Globe-TV-channel.
Thursday, December 1, 2016   (Image © Thomas Ruyant)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 24, Wilson USA 20th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 24, Wilson USA 20th The leading duo Armel le Cléac'h FRA and Alex Thompson GBR is sailing closely together, and in decreasing winds, they passed the Kerguelen Islands yesterday. The French Marine stationed there seized the opportunity to film the boats from a helicopter. Here the video.
The bulk of boats in the second half of the fleet has finally after 12 days in lulls been touched by a depression from the Northwest, helping them to round the Cape of Good Hope and reach the fast track of the Roaring Forties direction East. Rich Wilson USA is on rank 20.
The race viewer, the daily news and the TV channel.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016   (Image © Kojiro Shiraishi)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 24, Wilson USA 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 24, Wilson  USA 17th The leading duo keeps on racing at highspeed exceeding 20 kn on the South-Indian Ocean with Armel Le Cléac'h FRA 16 nm ahead of Alex Thompson GBR. They passed the Kerguelen Islands yesterday as fastest of the fleet that is more and more stretched over a long distance. The bulk of the fleet is now again taking on some speed after the tedious daylong trailing in the St-Helena anticyclone. No position change for Rich Wilson USA on rank 17 with a 3'700 nm backlog.
The race tracker, the daily news and the Vendée Globe TV channel.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 23

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 23 The leading duo Le Cléac'h FRA/Thompson GBR is now sailing in a more westerly (rear) wind assisting Alex Thompson GBR to better overcome the handicap of the broken foil appendage. His backlog on Armel Le Cléac'h FRA of 24 nm remained unchanged. With 486 nm in 24 hours, Sébastien Josse FRA on 3rd was the fastest, and he reduced the backlog on the leaders by 30 nm. Jean-Pierre Dick FRA, Thomas Ruyant FRA and Jean Le Cam FRA on the ranks 7-9 will round Cape of Good Hope today. The bulk of the fleet is still trailing in the St-Helena anticyclone zone with speeds below 5 kn. Rich Wilson USA on the 'Great American' remains on rank 19 over 3'500 nm behind.
The race tracker, the daily news and the official tv channel.
Monday, November 28, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 22, Wilson USA now 19th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 22, Wilson USA now 19th After two rather slow days, the leading duo has pushed the throttle again accelerating on speeds above 20 kn. Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss'), leading since the start, has obviously a handicap with his broken foil appendage, as his speed is 2 - 3 kn lower, and he lost his lead yesterday. Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire') overtook him and had already a 30 nm advantage this morning. Sébastien Josse FRA ('Edmond de Rothschild') follows with a 500 nm backlog on rank 3. Today, Jean-Pierre Dick FRA and Thomas Ruyant FRA will be next to round Cape of Good Hope with a deficit of over 1'700 nm. Jérémie Beyou FRA, rank 5, is racing 'blind' as the weather information satellite system broke. He has now to look for information in official Vendée safety reports. Rich Wilson USA ('Great American') lost two places and is now 19th.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Sunday, November 27, 2016   (Image © Yann Eliès)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 21, Wilson USA 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 21, Wilson USA 17th Decelerated by the lighter winds, the leading duo is now even closer together with Alex Thompson GBR only 13 nm in front of Armel Le Cléac'h FRA. Sébastien Josse FRA follows 362 nm behind on the 3rd position. Mit Paul Meilhat FRA and Jérémy Beyou FRA, two Open 60s more did round the Cape of Good Hope. Rich Wilson USA ('Great American') is still on rank 17.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos.
Saturday, November 26, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 20. Wilson USA 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 20. Wilson USA 17th The variable winds in the South-Indian Ocean have slowed down the leading Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss') yesterday, advancing at only 11 kn for the moment. Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire') could therefore reduce the backlog on 20 nm. Sébastien Josse FRA however on rank 3 did loose miles and is now 348 nm behind. The first chaser group over 1'000 nm back will round the Cape of Good Hope today. The bulk of the fleet is still trailing in the Anticyclone of the South Atlantic, progressing very slowly only. Rich Wilson USA on the 'Great American' is still on rank 17.
The race tracker, the reports and the videos.
Friday, November 25, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 19, Wilson USA 17th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 19, Wilson USA 17th The leading trio sailing in the Indian Ocean has lost more and more speed, and the second-ranked Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire') could reduce the backlog on the leader Alex Thompson GBR to 35 nm. Morgan Lagravière FRA ('Safran') sailing on the 4th position was the next victim of flotsam yesterday cutting off foil appendage. The newcomer from Olympic sailing was forced to abandon the race. Paul Meilhat FRA, Jérémy Béyou FRA and Yann Eliès FRA are now the chaser trio rounding the Cape of Good Hope today. Rich Wilson USA on the 'Great American' is now on rank 17 after the retirement of Lagravière FRA.
The race tracker, the reports and the web-tv films.
Thursday, November 24, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 18

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 18 This evening around 19h, Alex Thompson GBR will round the Cape of Good Hope with his 'Hugo Boss' in a new record time. Thanks to the increased top speeds of the Open60s with foils - an average velocity of almost 16 kn - and ideal wind conditions during the whole race so far, he will smash the during the last Vendée established record of Armel Le Cléac'h FRA by over 4 days. With 18 days and 12 hrs, Thomson is as fast as the catamaran 'Orange II' during the record race in 2002 ! The fresh wind zone caused by the perturbances from the West has now gone also for the leading trio, but with speeds around 16 kn, they are racing at the same speed as the chasers far behind. With a 100 nm backlog, Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire') remains on the 2nd place. Sébastien Josse FRA ('Edmond de Rothschild') on rank 3 is now 234 nm behind after a 6 hours' repair halt after a rudder system damage due to a collision with flotsam two days ago. The bulk of the fleet is now over 2'000 nm behind trailing in the lulls off the Brazilian coast, allowing the backmarkers to rejoin the fleet.
The race tracker, the daily news and the web tv clips.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 16, Wilson USA 20th

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 16, Wilson USA 20th The leader group maintained the high speeds around 20 kn benefitting from the very favorable conditions on the South Atlantic, heading directly to the Cape of Good Hope. Despite of the broken foil, the astonishing Alex Thompson GBR even extended his lead with another 10 nm to now 92 nm. On Friday, he will probably round the Cape of Good Hope in a new record 4 days faster as the previous best time ! Behind the 7 leading boats, the rest of the fleet is still stalling in the big anticyclone calms, loosing over 200 miles on the leading group. When rounding the most Southern point of Africa, the backlog of these boats will exceed 4 days. 'The great American' of Rich Wilson USA on rank 20 is 2'100 nm behind.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Monday, November 21, 2016   (Image © Rich Wilson)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 15

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 15 Best Northwind conditions, about 25 kn, are still prevailing and the leader group is chasing down South direction Cape of Good Hope at high speeds. This breeze should last for another four days according to the forecasts, and this would mean a new Start-to-Cape-record, to the most southern point of Africa. Inspite of a damaged foil-daggerboard, Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss') maintained his advantage with 85 miles. Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire') and Sébastien Josse FRA ('Edmond de Rothschild') remain the first challengers.
The race tracker and the reports.
Sunday, November 20, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 14

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 14 The persisting depression zone over the Brazilian coast is favoring the leading seven solo skippers allowing them to chase at high speeds direction Cape of Good Hope. Alex Thompson GBR maintains his lead, but he had to reduce the speed as one of the foil daggerboards has been damaged after a collision with flotsam. His advance has been reduced on 88 miles during the past 24 hours. Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and Sébastien Josse FRA remain the first challengers. The relatively flat water and the ideal wind angle are a perfect turf for the foiling Open60s. A first official abandonment has to be noted (Tanguy de la Motte on his way back to Les Sables d'Olonne did not yet announce his retirement). Bertrand De Broc FRA damaged keel and hull in a collision with flotsam and decided to withdraw after a stop.
The race tracker and the reports.
Saturday, November 19, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 13

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 13 The leading group of six has entered a depression with a fresh Northwind around 30 kn off the Brazilian Coast and will be chasing down South at high speed during the coming three days. The single-handed 24 hours' record (534 nm) might well be improved. Alex Thompson GBR is still in the lead 112 miles ahead of Armel Le Cléac'h FRA and another 15 nm behind follows Sébastien Josse FRA.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Friday, November 18, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 12

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 12 The leading boats are still favored by fresh trade winds and advance South at good speeds. Alex Thompson GBR was again the fastest in the last 24 hours with 484 miles completed. His advantage on the second-placed Armel Le Cléac'h FRA closely followed by Sébastien Josse FRA has grown to 100 nm. Vincent Riou FRA follows with a 136 nm backlog on rank 4. With the exception of Sébastien Destremau FRA and Didac Costa ESP started later after a repair stop, all boats have now crossed the innertropical concergence zone. Alan Roura SUI remains on rank 25.
The race viewer and the daily news.
Thursday, November 17, 2016   (Image © Paul Meilhat)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 11

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 11 The leading group consisting of 7 boats - among them Vincent Riou FRA ('PRB') on rank 4 and Paul Meilhat FRA ('SMA') on rank 6 with Open60s without foils - is progressing at good speeds in the freshening trade winds along the Brazilian coast, while the rest of the fleet is barely moving in the extended innertropcial convergence zone. The fleet is more and more split in two parts. The leader Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss') (here an onboard video) maintains his first position with an 55 miles' advantage on Armel Le Cléac'h FRA (Banque Populaire'). Sébastien Josse FRA ('Edmond de Rothschild') is 5 miles back new on rank 3.
The race tracker and the reports.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016   (Image © Cleo Barnham)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 10

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 10 Yesterday evening at 19h UTC, the leading Alex Thompson GBR crossed the Equator on his 'Hugo Boss' in the record time of 9 days and 7 hours, one day faster than the previous record. And also the next five boats, lead by Armel Le Cléac'h FRA (Banque Populaire'), were below the previous record time. Thompson GBR took advantage from the freshening southern trade winds and was 60 miles ahead of Le Cléac'h FRA this morning. Another 8 miles behind followed Vincent Riou FRA ('PRB'). Tanguy De la Motte FRA, trying to repair the damaged mast top on the Cape Verdes, failed and was forced to abandon the race, the first one to retire. He is now on his way back to the Sables d'Olonne.
The race tracker and the today's morning report.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 9

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 9 The leading group of the fleet has crossed the innertropical convergence zone faster as expected. With a course straight South, Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss') has doubled his advantage on Armel le Cléac’h FRA with his ‘Banque Populaire VIII’ on 65 nm. Vincent Riou FRA on ‘PRB’ follows closely behind. The first 6 boats have now reached the Southern trade winds and wil cross the Equator today. With Tanguy de la Motte FRA delayed with a repair stop in Mindelo Cape Verdes, Alan Roura SUI with his ‘La Fabrique’ is now one place up on rank 23.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Monday, November 14, 2016   (Image © Sebastien Josse)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 8

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 8 After 8 days underway, the leading boats are already approaching the innertropical convergence zone and the Equator. Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss') in front of the fleet has therefore lost speed and the 30 miles' advantage on the chasing duo Sébastien Josse FRA ('Edmond de Rothschild') and Vincent Riou FRA ('PRB') will shrink during the day.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Sunday, November 13, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 7, Wilson USA 21st

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 7, Wilson USA 21st Yesterday, the leading boats of the Vendée Globe fleet passed the Cape Verde Islands. Alex Thompson GBR opted for a shortcut crossing the archipelago and passed Armel le Cléac'h FRA and Vincent Riou FRA, taking the lead with a 17 miles' lead this morning UTC. Moreover, the slackening trade winds allowed Vincent Riou FRA with his conventional Open60 to overtake Armel Le Cléac'h FRA, and this duo is now sailing at sight. Rich Wilson USA on the 'Great American' is 21st with a 583 nm backlog. Tomorrow afternoon, the fleet will reach the innertropcial convergence zone with its lulls and thunderstorm gusts. Tanguy de la Motte FRA back in the fleet is heading for Mindelo with a damaged mast top. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to repair it by himself.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Saturday, November 12, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 6

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 6 The leading group has accelerated in the trade winds yesterday and is advancing at speeds of over 20 kn direction South. Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss') was the fastest during the past 24 hours, covering 457 nm and moving up on position 3 of the 29 boats' fleet. Armel Le Cléac'h FRA extended his lead by 23 nm. The astonishing Vincent Riou FRA ('PRB') defended his 2nd place despite of the fact that he cannot reach the velocity of his opponent on Open60s with foils. This evening, the first yachts will pass the Cape Verde Islands.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Friday, November 11, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 5, Wilson USA 23rd

The leading group passed the Canaries during the night and has now reached the trade winds. In the rather moderate breeze of the past days, Vincent Riou FRA with his old-generation Open60 'PRB' played on his advantage not having the appendages (foils) slowing down the boat. He is now only 3 nm behind the leader Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire'). But in the freshening trade winds, the new generation 'foilers' will benefit from the higher speed potential and pull off. The positions of the chasers this morning UTC are Jérémy Béyou FRA ('Maitre Coq') and Morgan Lagravièrer FRrA ('Safran') 35 nm behind. Rich Wilson USA ('Great American') is now on rank 23 with a backlog of 306 nm on the leader. Didac Costa ESP who had to return to Les Sables d'Olonne shortly after the start has now resumed racing after a longer repair stop.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Thursday, November 10, 2016   (Image © Sébastien Josse)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 4

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 4 The closely packed leader group was on a SW course yesterday and is now about to gibe to reach the trade winds in the South as soon as possible. Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire') will be the first to touch the fresh breeze extending his lead on the immediate chasers Vincent Riou FRA ('PRB') on a conventional Open60 without foils 10 nm behind this morning, and Paul Meilhat FRA ('SMA'), 25 nm back. Alan Roura SUI ('La Fabrique') on rank 24 remains 170 nm behind.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016   (Image © Vincent Curutchet)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 3

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 3 Yesterday, the winds off Portugal slackened faster as predicted and Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss') benefitting from the better conditions failed with his attack in the East after having reduced the gap on the leading Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire') to a few miles. The fresh winds come from the West now and Thomson GBR is down on rank 7 again. Le Cléac'h FRA accelerated as first and extended his lead on 21 miles this morning UTC. Jean-Pierre Dick FRA ('Virbac') and 5 miles behind Paul Meilhat FRA ('SMA') are now the first challengers. Alan Roura SUI 219 miles back keeps the 24th place.
The race tracker, the daily news and all other details.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 2

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Day 2 The favorable wind conditions continued on day two of the Vendée Globe and will persist in the next days. The fleet is heading South at high speeds, just about to leave the European waters off Portugal's South coast behind this morning.
Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire') keeps the first position 13 nm ahead of Vincent Riou FRA ('PRB') new on ranks 2, who is astoningly fast with his non-foil Open60. The fastest with a 22 kn speed is Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss') who was the first to gibe touching a fresher breeze along the Portuguese coast. For the moment, the detour dropped him on rank 7.
The daily news and the race tracker.
Monday, November 7, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - Day 1

More than 350,000 spectators lined the legendary exit channel and the beaches to bid farewell to the skippers, 1,000 boats of all different sizes enjoyed the bright sunshine and moderate NNE’ly reaching breezes, considered to be the best start day conditions ever. 20 skippers from France and 9 from outside the nation departed to the Vendée organised every four years.

During the first night, the northerly breeze favored the Open60s equipped with foils and allowed them to open a gap on the fleet with conventional yachts. Armel Le Cléac'h ('Banque Populaire') has taken the lead ahead of Jean-Pierre Dick FRA ('St-Michel/Virbac') 1,7 nm and Alex Thomson GBR ('Hugo Boss') 2,8 nm behind.
The race tracker and the daily news.
Sunday, November 6, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - Start today

High speeds for the first 24 hours. Today Sunday at 1202hrs UTC after the start gun for the Vendée Globe sounds, the 29 solo sailors will be able to sail directly towards Cape Finisterre, some 350 miles across the Bay of Biscay. The Cape, the NW corner of Spain, will be the first major obstacle in the 24,400 mile round the world non stop race. In a 15-20 knot northerly, the leaders should reach the coast of Spain on Monday morning, before turning left to head towards the Tropic of Cancer. The details.
France 3 broadcasts the start live on TV, but also the Internet covers the activities in Les Sables d'Olonne and the start on livestream, .... also on this website.
The event website.
Saturday, November 5, 2016   

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - Start tomorrow

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - Start tomorrow Tomorrow at 12.02 h UTC, the 29 solo skippers will start to the non-stop round-the-world race, the Vendée Globe. Over 500'000 spectators are expected around the harbour, as well as the surrounding beaches and cliffs, by far the most attended sail racing event world-wide ! The daily news present once more the 10 most cited favorites for victory, with Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire'), 2nd in the last two Vendée's on top. He will start with brand-new Open60 with foils.
France 3 broadcasts the start live on TV, but also the Internet covers the activities in Les Sables d'Olonne and the start on livestream, .... also on this website.
The event website.
Friday, November 4, 2016   (Image © Christophe Breschi)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - 2 days to go

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - 2 days to go On Sunday at 12.02 UTC, the start to the Vendée Globe will be given of the French Atlantic coast, and the weather forecast announces rough conditions right from the beginning. During about three days, a fresh 15 to 25 kn Northwind and temperatures around 10° will prevail. On Wednesday, a first frontal system from the West will fill in with wind velocities of up to 30 kn. The forecasts.
As every day, the event website contains many reports and videos about the 29 participants.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016   (Image © Benoit Stichelbaut)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - Start in 4 days

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - Start in 4 days The final countdown to the start of the Vendée Globe 2016/7 on the coming Sunday.November 6th, is on. 29 solo skippers from 10 nations, including the NZL, USA, GBR and IRL, will depart to the nonstop round-the-world race. The interest of the public and media is huge and even exceeds previous editions. The Vendee is by far the most popular sail race world-wide. 680'000 spectators already visited the Race Village at the Les Sables d'Olonne harbour, and media from 22 nations will follow the start.
We have already presented the foiling Open 60s, the favorites for victory, but experienced ocean racers on conventional versions such as the 2005 Vendée winner Vincent Riou FRA must not be forgotten. He knows his boat perfectly well and in light winds, he is as fast as the foilers. The Vendée website contains an interview with Riou FRA. .... and much more.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016   (Image © Thierry Martinez)

IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - the foilers

 IMOCA Open 60 - Vendée Globe 2016/17 - Les Sables d'Olonne FRA - the foilers For decades, the Open 60s have been pushing the envelope in oceanic yacht racing ever and ever: water tanks, movable keels, auto pilots .... and the Vendée Globe has always been the endurance test field for new developments. The curbed foils as appendage to the Open 60s set a new standard at the 2016/7 Vendée Globe. In appropriate wind conditions, they are up to 2 kn faster than the conventional boats. Only in light winds, they seem to be slower as the predecessors. See a video explaining the technology. In high speeds, the foils produce an uplift of up to 2,5 t, and the wet surface of the hull is substantially reduced. See the video of 'Safran' and the video of 'Banque Populaire'. Impressive also the videos shot during trainings of Sébastien Josse FRA ('Edmond de Rothschild') in a 30 kn wind. Six yachts are equipped with foils and they will be the ones fighting for victory ... provided they will finish. Morgan La Gravière FRA ('Safran'), Armel Le Cléac'h FRA ('Banque Populaire'), Jean-Pierre Dick FRA ('Virbac'), Sébastien Josse FRA ('Edmond de Rothschild'), Alex Thompson GBR ('Hugo Boss') and Jérémy Béyou FRA ('Maître Coq').
The Vendée Globe website.


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