3834 replies to this topic

[Clovis]

So, we're all busy watching the VOR, but let's keep some energy for the upcoming Vendee Globe.
It will start on November 10th, 2012, from les Sables d'Olonne.
18 skippers are registered so far, including Sam Davies, Jeremie Beyou and Jean Le Cam, who finally found sponsors!

Official website here: Vendee site



So who are your favourites? Who will win? What are the gossips?
This is the official thread for all those who can't wait!

[Greenflash]

sweet, an actual ocean race.

[Alysum]

sweet, an actual ocean race.

With no stealth zones, no cargos etc... what's not to like?

[Greenflash]

sweet, an actual ocean race.

With no stealth zones, no cargos etc... what's not to like?

BAHA! yeah and doldrums only twice! not like some other race we know I wonder if they also manage to post mildly interesting videos with commentators that don't have speech impediments...

[Tunnel Rat]

This is one of the best races in the world, definitely the most complete test of a sailor.

The skippers from the website:

Jérémie Beyou - Maître CoQ
Arnaud Boissières - Akena Vérandas
Samantha Davies - Savéol
Kito de Pavan -Groupe Bel
Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty - ?
Alessandro Di Benedetto - Team Plastique
Jean-Pierre Dick - Virbac-Paprec 3
François Gabart - Macif
Mike Golding - Gamesa
Marc Guillemot - Safran
Jean Le Cam - SynerCiel
Armel Le Cléac´h - Banque Populaire
Vincent Riou - PRB
Javier Sansó - Acciona
Bernard Stamm - Cheminées Poujoulat
Alex Thomson - Hugo Boss
Liz Wardley - ?
Dominique Wavre - Mirabaud

18signed up so far - not a bad total.

My favourites will be Sam Davies after her fantastic logs from the last race and Alessandro Di Benedetto because of his phenomenal seamanship to complete his circumnavigation on the 6.50 after being dismasted just over half way round. I'm not sure either will win, but I will be following them.

I wish all of them a safe and successful voyage.

[Alysum]

I reckon JP Dick is favorite to win

[Summerwind]

I really think about going to Les Sables for the start.

[JL92S]

Entry has closed now, I'm supporting alex thomson, just putting it out there

[LeoV]

I have to support Maitre Coq, and great this race will be up again.

[Clovis]

I like Kito, but does he still have the hunger?
Gabart definitely has it, and he has the boat... but he doesn't have the experience.

I will also support Benedetto and Davies, for the same reasons as Tunnel Rat...
But they have very small chances compared to Dick!

In any case, whoever the winner may be, it will be an accomplished sailor, an dthat's the most important...

C.

[Tom O'Keefe]

Michel Desjoyeaux seems to be missing from the list. I thought he was currently focused on his Open 60? Is he doing MOD 70's instead?

[MSafiri]

Michel Desjoyeaux seems to be missing from the list. I thought he was currently focused on his Open 60? Is he doing MOD 70's instead?

MicDes concentrates on Mod 70, giving a chance to JPD or Stamm, though I would like to see Alessandro 1st!

[Icedtea]

Entry has closed now, I'm supporting alex thomson, just putting it out there

Why?

[Cyrille Hydrogene]

If Stamm can keep his new Cheminee in one piece, he'll be one a very strong competitor, along with JPD.

But we'll also have to keep a good eye on the younger generation, showing great promise, with both Gabart and Le Cleac'h.

[Vorwaerts]

I really hope that Stamm will finaly finish a Vendee Globe. He has earned it, and he had quite a bit if bad luck so far.
I also hope that Wardley gets her program together. I remember here videos from the Figaro a few years back. She did a good job back then telling her story.

[Alysum]

Alex Thomson to do a keel walk in the Southern Ocean?

[jb5]

Bernard Stamm is my pick to win. He really deserves it.

[FOOKINWAVE]

How do they possibly top the last edition starting in gale force winds. I was watching every night those first two weeks. Nascar rules apply. Way better than the volvo

[Zac]

The video gives me chills.

[whynotsolo?]

How do they possibly top the last edition starting in gale force winds. I was watching every night those first two weeks. Nascar rules apply. Way better than the volvo

Speaking of NASCAR, they are currently peeling the burnt rubber of of the track as a result of a race car crashing into a track car...FUBAR Daytona 500

[ronnie_simpson]

I can't imagine trying to beat JP Dick in a solo sailboat race around the world right now. That dude's looking pretty dialed.

[mad]

Entry has closed now, I'm supporting alex thomson, just putting it out there

Why?

Some one has to I guess

[mario147]

Stamm deserves it this time. Also I'm interested in Bubi Sanso's boat, Acciona, which is the first 100% Ecopowered Open 60. Let's see how it does.

[oioi]

Stamm deserves it this time. Also I'm interested in Bubi Sanso's boat, Acciona, which is the first 100% Ecopowered Open 60. Let's see how it does.

eco????? compare the carbon footprint of building a new open 60 (along with those lovely petrochem sails) and the carbon footprint of an open60's diesels use in the last vendee.

[JL92S]

Entry has closed now, I'm supporting alex thomson, just putting it out there

Why?

Some one has to I guess

i'm not voting for a frenchman (no offense to french) i'm voting for an englishman who isn't mike golding, actually i'll support alex or sam davies, not fussy which, nice to have someone not french win for a change

[leRemorqueur]

You probably can add "Louis Burton - Bureau Vallée" to the list

[pogen]

i'm not voting for a frenchman (no offense to french) i'm voting for an englishman who isn't mike golding, actually i'll support alex or sam davies, not fussy which, nice to have someone not french win for a change

Hey Alessandro is Italian, I'll be rooting for him. After doing it in a Mini the O 60 must seem like a cruise ship. Just keep off the rocks!

[MSafiri]

i'm not voting for a frenchman (no offense to french) i'm voting for an englishman who isn't mike golding, actually i'll support alex or sam davies, not fussy which, nice to have someone not french win for a change

Hey Alessandro is Italian, I'll be rooting for him. After doing it in a Mini the O 60 must seem like a cruise ship. Just keep off the rocks!

Then you vote for a Frenchmen, Alessandro is 0,5 x French + 0,5 x Italian = one hell of a sailor, for me, he already won the race with his mini Vendee Globe

Off to do the anti-fouling in few hours, cheers

[Potter]

Stamm deserves it this time. Also I'm interested in Bubi Sanso's boat, Acciona, which is the first 100% Ecopowered Open 60. Let's see how it does.

eco????? compare the carbon footprint of building a new open 60 (along with those lovely petrochem sails) and the carbon footprint of an open60's diesels use in the last vendee.

Not eco, ecopowered. Accione have been very clear about this, and lets be honest any race boat claiming to be eco is bollocks. Good move to try and do it without fossil fuel, but obviouls will never make up for the 70ft cooker used to build the boat!!
Joyon did this for his RTW, but Bubi is the first IMOCA 60 to do this.

[mario147]

Stamm deserves it this time. Also I'm interested in Bubi Sanso's boat, Acciona, which is the first 100% Ecopowered Open 60. Let's see how it does.

eco????? compare the carbon footprint of building a new open 60 (along with those lovely petrochem sails) and the carbon footprint of an open60's diesels use in the last vendee.

Yes I agree :-) But they call it Ecopowered. Apart from that, I'm really interested to see if the all-green generated energy is enough to support all devices on board (electronic, autopilots, canting keels..)

[moody frog]

Stamm deserves it this time. Also I'm interested in Bubi Sanso's boat, Acciona, which is the first 100% Ecopowered Open 60. Let's see how it does.

eco????? compare the carbon footprint of building a new open 60 (along with those lovely petrochem sails) and the carbon footprint of an open60's diesels use in the last vendee.

Yes I agree :-) But they call it Ecopowered. Apart from that, I'm really interested to see if the all-green generated energy is enough to support all devices on board (electronic, autopilots, canting keels..)

It has to ! and ...that's the challenge "Acciona", who are a giant in the eco-power business Website, have set up for themselves in this venture.

[Haji]

The video gives me chills.

Me too! Should be a GREAT race

[mr_ryano]

How great would it be to have a media guy on each boat. The most compelling human story to be told...

[Icedtea]

How great would it be to have a media guy on each boat. The most compelling human story to be told...

It would be awesome, but things would be different then with someone to talk to...

[Potter]

How great would it be to have a media guy on each boat. The most compelling human story to be told...

It would be awesome, but things would be different then with someone to talk to...

Surely the interest in this race is that it is single handed....

[gybe-ho!]

How great would it be to have a media guy on each boat. The most compelling human story to be told...

It would be awesome, but things would be different then with someone to talk to...

Surely the interest in this race is that it is single handed....

sssshhhhhh Potter...don't spoil the moment!

[mad]

How great would it be to have a media guy on each boat. The most compelling human story to be told...

It would be awesome, but things would be different then with someone to talk to...

Surely the interest in this race is that it is single handed....

sssshhhhhh Potter...don't spoil the moment!

Well there could be some benefits as well

[Garito]

No US representation this Vendee? Who do you think would sail if given the chance?

[skippertom]

No US representation this Vendee? Who do you think would sail if given the chance?

Brad van Liew most likely.

[rmb]

I would.

But finding a budget in the US is not an easy task as I have discovered.

[Potter]

I would.

But finding a budget in the US is not an easy task as I have discovered.

or elsewhere for that matter...

[Icedtea]

The video gives me chills.

Me too! Should be a GREAT race

Coming from one of the GODS that have been there and earned that t shirt, it must be true!

[pogen]

I thought the race entry was closed now -- could someone explain the difference between "the entrants" and "the candidates" on the skippers page?

http://www.vendeeglo...s/entrants.html

It seems candidates still trying to secure final funding or even a boat. Dee is a candidate, for example. I wonder how long they have, we are only 7 months out from the start.

[Garito]

They cut it really close. One has to pre-register before July 1st, and register by Oct. 1st. The Candidates on their page have intentions of joining if they get sponsorships I believe.

I thought the race entry was closed now -- could someone explain the difference between "the entrants" and "the candidates" on the skippers page?

http://www.vendeeglo...s/entrants.html

It seems candidates still trying to secure final funding or even a boat. Dee is a candidate, for example. I wonder how long they have, we are only 7 months out from the start.

[Haji]

No US representation this Vendee? Who do you think would sail if given the chance?

Brad van Liew most likely.

Even if it rained money, there really isn't time at this point to put together a competitive effort.

And who would go? I don't want to go again, don't think Ryan B. wants to either, Rich is getting old...which leaves only Brad really the only qualified American at this point. Jonathan McKee? I don't think he's up for it either.

Of course I'd be delighted to support a US effort on the technical/systems side.

[Haji]

Btw, I certainly didn't mean to leave out or demean the prospects of some great US sailors, like my friends Kip Stone and Ryan Finn, etc. Hopefully someday we (as in US solo racers) will somehow have to resources to meaningfully complete in these great races.

[skippertom]

Btw, I certainly didn't mean to leave out or demean the prospects of some great US sailors, like my friends Kip Stone and Ryan Finn, etc. Hopefully someday we (as in US solo racers) will somehow have to resources to meaningfully complete in these great races.

Bruce what is Kip up to these days?

[Haji]

Btw, I certainly didn't mean to leave out or demean the prospects of some great US sailors, like my friends Kip Stone and Ryan Finn, etc. Hopefully someday we (as in US solo racers) will somehow have to resources to meaningfully complete in these great races.

Bruce what is Kip up to these days?

I think he's pretty busy with work; he's been expanding his "Cool as a Moose" stores here in Maine and the NE.

[pogen]

Btw, I certainly didn't mean to leave out or demean the prospects of some great US sailors, like my friends Kip Stone and Ryan Finn, etc. Hopefully someday we (as in US solo racers) will somehow have to resources to meaningfully complete in these great races.

I would love that too, is there any way this could happen here without the Mini/Figaro ladder in place? Classe 40 is starting to do good things for SH sailing, but that's jumping in at a pretty high level already.


Edit: I sent a msg to the VG webmaster asking them to put on a RSS feed to make the site easier to follow.

[Jem]

The video gives me chills.

Me too! Should be a GREAT race

yep that video shows just how mental an idea to do the race actually is ...

anyone who finishes is awesome, I'd like alex to do well too.

J

[swe727]

Edit: I sent a msg to the VG webmaster asking them to put on a RSS feed to make the site easier to follow.

http://www.vendeeglo...deeglobe-en.rss

[Jem]

Edit: I sent a msg to the VG webmaster asking them to put on a RSS feed to make the site easier to follow.

http://www.vendeeglo...deeglobe-en.rss

great, well done

J

[MR.CLEAN]

No US representation this Vendee? Who do you think would sail if given the chance?

Brad van Liew most likely.

Even if it rained money, there really isn't time at this point to put together a competitive effort.

And who would go? I don't want to go again, don't think Ryan B. wants to either, Rich is getting old...which leaves only Brad really the only qualified American at this point. Jonathan McKee? I don't think he's up for it either.

Of course I'd be delighted to support a US effort on the technical/systems side.

Ryan would love to go and made a half-hearted attempt to raise some money, might've made a harder push if he knew his MOD deal with Bilou was about to dry up! Would love to see him get involved in the Atlantic Cup in Class 40s - the only thing with any commercial appeal happening in US shorthanded sailing right now.

[pogen]

Thanks swe727, the VG organization also replied to me overnight with the link, not sure why it is hard to find on their site. Maybe I am the only one left not using Facebook

http://www.vendeeglo...deeglobe-en.rss


Update on VG third female entry: http://www.thedailys...dee-globe-entry

[bsainsbury]

Awesome video!

[JACO]

That video is so well done that it even got a gasp out of my non-sailing friends.
A whole different breed of lunacy and balls.

[rmb]

I am doing the quebec-st malo on a class 40, but do not have time to do the atlantic cup stuff as I am racing in the Med. In any case not having a sponsor does not help with class 40s either.

Ryan

[PIL007]

I can't wait for this Vendee. A real sailboat race with more than 6 entrants......bring it one

[pogen]

Just watched the vid again. Fuck yeah! My kid and I are DH'ing the PacCup this summer, I should watch that vid twice a day!

I was just thinking, US football and soccer, baseball, etc., just a bunch of guys playing a game on a field for a couple of hours max. BFD -- the VG is the real sport!

[Stubby]

That video is amazing, and when you pump up the volume and add some bass it really gets the heart pumping... Maybe one day...

[kokopelli]

I am doing the quebec-st malo on a class 40, but do not have time to do the atlantic cup stuff as I am racing in the Med. In any case not having a sponsor does not help with class 40s either.

Ryan

Ryan,

I'll be on a Class40 for the Quebec-St Malo race as well. Do you have any ideas as to how many 40s we can expect? I would think at least a few from the 2-Star and the Atlantic Cp should make their way up to Quebec.

See you in QC for a beer.

Jan

[Carboninit]

I would like to see Mike Golding - Gamesa do well this time round. Has the boat and budget ,had a look today ,noice.

[mad]

I would like to see Mike Golding - Gamesa do well this time round. Has the boat and budget ,had a look today ,noice.

If he makes the top 3 it'll be a miracle.

[solosailor]

Moi........ But as pointed out, sponsorship money was difficult in years past. Came close a few times but since the economy melted down it's a bleak prospect.

[Carboninit]

Hi Mad looking at the boat yesterday I dont think it will be a miracle . There is a huge difference in the new and old last time round boats .Gamesa have got it right not like Hugo Boss that was built like a tank. Gamesa is better looking than the latest Foncia.Still we will have to see.Just getting to the start is a miracle .

[pogen]

Gamesa is better looking than the latest Foncia.

That's quite a statement. Do you have pics or data to share?

[Potter]

Hi Mad looking at the boat yesterday I dont think it will be a miracle . There is a huge difference in the new and old last time round boats .Gamesa have got it right not like Hugo Boss that was built like a tank. Gamesa is better looking than the latest Foncia.Still we will have to see.Just getting to the start is a miracle .

You do knnow that Gamesa is not new? She is the old Ecover with a new coachroof, and a standard rig rather than the heavier rotating rig. I might have misunderstood you, just clarifying. Actually I do think the new Foncia/Macif are pretty ugly with such huge forward volume but they are definitely quick.

Mike is someone who I have always felt does not go sailing enough, but he has proven to be quick in the Vendee Globe time and again. Good Luck to him, he is certainly the best Anglo Saxon hope!

[Carboninit]

http://s1271.photobu...630/carboninit/

http://www.mikegoldi...gamesa-open-60/

The boat looks fantastic.If you look at the old Boss everything is miles away from trimming the boat where as the new boats if you put your arms out everything is within reach and closer to the centreline .

[Icedtea]

Hi Mad looking at the boat yesterday I dont think it will be a miracle . There is a huge difference in the new and old last time round boats .Gamesa have got it right not like Hugo Boss that was built like a tank. Gamesa is better looking than the latest Foncia.Still we will have to see.Just getting to the start is a miracle .

You do knnow that Gamesa is not new? She is the old Ecover with a new coachroof, and a standard rig rather than the heavier rotating rig. I might have misunderstood you, just clarifying. Actually I do think the new Foncia/Macif are pretty ugly with such huge forward volume but they are definitely quick.


Mike is someone who I have always felt does not go sailing enough, but he has proven to be quick in the Vendee Globe time and again. Good Luck to him, he is certainly the best Anglo Saxon hope!

Why do you say he doesn't go sailing enough?

[Potter]

Hi Mad looking at the boat yesterday I dont think it will be a miracle . There is a huge difference in the new and old last time round boats .Gamesa have got it right not like Hugo Boss that was built like a tank. Gamesa is better looking than the latest Foncia.Still we will have to see.Just getting to the start is a miracle .

You do knnow that Gamesa is not new? She is the old Ecover with a new coachroof, and a standard rig rather than the heavier rotating rig. I might have misunderstood you, just clarifying. Actually I do think the new Foncia/Macif are pretty ugly with such huge forward volume but they are definitely quick.


Mike is someone who I have always felt does not go sailing enough, but he has proven to be quick in the Vendee Globe time and again. Good Luck to him, he is certainly the best Anglo Saxon hope!

Why do you say he doesn't go sailing enough?

I just think it is something all the anglo-saxon teams have sufferred from. Due to greater numbers the French are more able to get out on the water and train with other boats, they also have basis like Port Le Floret that can organise and facilitate training seessions. They also have a better (in my opinion) attitude to getting time on the water.
The more time on the water the more you learn the strengths and weaknesses of the skipper and boat.

[Carboninit]

+1
Isnt sailing part of the kids curriculum in France.

[Clovis]

+1
Isnt sailing part of the kids curriculum in France.

Only in some seaside cities.

On a different note, anyone got an update on the skipper/boat preparations?
The situation seems still unclear for the Europa Race...
What about the boatyards? Are they working? I read that Louis Burton is working on his boat, but he has not yet secured enough funding for the whole show...

C.

[Rocket Terp]

My favorite race.

I don't have the qualifications for the Vendee (yet), but damn that makes me want to race; offshore; single handed.

[Lexpat]

+1
Isnt sailing part of the kids curriculum in France.

Only in some seaside cities.

On a different note, anyone got an update on the skipper/boat preparations?
The situation seems still unclear for the Europa Race...
What about the boatyards? Are they working? I read that Louis Burton is working on his boat, but he has not yet secured enough funding for the whole show...

C.

I disagree , most of the cities with a lake or a wide river have a sailing school or nautical club , ie Toulouse ,Clermont etc and they are 100 miles or more from the sea.

[forss]

Maître Coq loses its mast

It was 8.45PM and the wind speed was 23 to 25 knots west-nortwest when the mast fell without any previous indication of a problem. Jérémie Beyou and Fanch Guiffant, a member of the Maître CoQ sailing team who was with Beyou in this « quasi-solo » were changing course and hauling down their gennaker when the incident happened. They did not get injured.

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/news/technology/10642/maitre-coq-loses-its-mast.html

[Laurent]

+1
Isnt sailing part of the kids curriculum in France.

Only in some seaside cities.

On a different note, anyone got an update on the skipper/boat preparations?
The situation seems still unclear for the Europa Race...
What about the boatyards? Are they working? I read that Louis Burton is working on his boat, but he has not yet secured enough funding for the whole show...

C.

I disagree , most of the cities with a lake or a wide river have a sailing school or nautical club , ie Toulouse ,Clermont etc and they are 100 miles or more from the sea.

Yes, but sailing is NOT part of the school curriculum for 99.9% of the primary schools... And I believe the few schools where this is part of the curriculum, with a local sailing club, are indeed on the seashore.

[MR.CLEAN]

All the towns around where my family lives in Normandy have sailing as an option for the sports part of the school curriculum. These are public schools between Courseulles and Arromanches, and there are a bunch of them.

[moody frog]

All the towns around where my family lives in Normandy have sailing as an option for the sports part of the school curriculum. These are public schools between Courseulles and Arromanches, and there are a bunch of them.

This is of course quite common too on our shores.
An interesting observation fom my years in municipal duty, i.e as the financing body (free sailing courses have been part of the last primary school year -9-10 years old- for 20 years in our village) is the extremely low (kind of 1%) "perseverance" rate.
Extremely few of those exposed remain into the sport. The village racing activities have not progressed,quite to the contrary.

A quick survey around showed that success was only met in places where pre-existed a sail-racing community and in direct proportion to that community standard.
In other words, where sail-racing was part of the local life and very active, exposure at school enlarged the pool of wannabe racers and offered an entry-door to a number of gifted people who would not have stood a chance otherwise.
It raised the standards up as a consequence but, in a more general way, it did not grow the sport in numbers.

The rich became richer !

[harzak]

All the towns around where my family lives in Normandy have sailing as an option for the sports part of the school curriculum. These are public schools between Courseulles and Arromanches, and there are a bunch of them.

This is of course quite common too on our shores.
An interesting observation fom my years in municipal duty, i.e as the financing body (free sailing courses have been part of the last primary school year -9-10 years old- for 20 years in our village) is the extremely low (kind of 1%) "perseverance" rate.
Extremely few of those exposed remain into the sport. The village racing activities have not progressed,quite to the contrary.

A quick survey around showed that success was only met in places where pre-existed a sail-racing community and in direct proportion to that community standard.
In other words, where sail-racing was part of the local life and very active, exposure at school enlarged the pool of wannabe racers and offered an entry-door to a number of gifted people who would not have stood a chance otherwise.
It raised the standards up as a consequence but, in a more general way, it did not grow the sport in numbers.

The rich became richer !

Thanks for these very interesting (but not altogether surprising) findings. Do you know which places that have the good pre-existing sail-racing communities and sailing courses through school?

[moody frog]

All the towns around where my family lives in Normandy have sailing as an option for the sports part of the school curriculum. These are public schools between Courseulles and Arromanches, and there are a bunch of them.

This is of course quite common too on our shores.
An interesting observation fom my years in municipal duty, i.e as the financing body (free sailing courses have been part of the last primary school year -9-10 years old- for 20 years in our village) is the extremely low (kind of 1%) "perseverance" rate.
Extremely few of those exposed remain into the sport. The village racing activities have not progressed,quite to the contrary.

A quick survey around showed that success was only met in places where pre-existed a sail-racing community and in direct proportion to that community standard.
In other words, where sail-racing was part of the local life and very active, exposure at school enlarged the pool of wannabe racers and offered an entry-door to a number of gifted people who would not have stood a chance otherwise.
It raised the standards up as a consequence but, in a more general way, it did not grow the sport in numbers.

The rich became richer !

Thanks for these very interesting (but not altogether surprising) findings. Do you know which places that have the good pre-existing sail-racing communities and sailing courses through school?

As far as my field of investigation is concerned (Finistère): the usual suspects ! Concarneau bay, Morlaix bay, Douarnenez bay, Brest (not too offshore) and 1 or 2 individual places.

[Lexpat]

I agree that Brittany is the sailing stronghold in France,but dont forget the dozens of towns on the Med from Collioure to Nice and the South-West ones from Vendee to Hendaye with "cercles Nautique"( sailing Clubs)that are part of the FFV (sailing french federation)and approved by the National Education.

[moody frog]

I agree that Brittany is the sailing stronghold in France,but dont forget the dozens of towns on the Med from Collioure to Nice and the South-West ones from Vendee to Hendaye with "cercles Nautique"( sailing Clubs)that are part of the FFV (sailing french federation)and approved by the National Education.

Of course, but my opinion on the follow-up is only valid for what I have been able to accurately check, hence the selection.

[LeoV]

Glad only 1 % stays in the sport Otherwise the harbours will be blocked.
But due to this exposure to sailing maybe more people understand sailing and the adventure the Vendee is. Hence its more popular due to it ?

[moody frog]

Glad only 1 % stays in the sport Otherwise the harbours will be blocked.
But due to this exposure to sailing maybe more people understand sailing and the adventure the Vendee is. Hence its more popular due to it ?

Thought you were biking in mountains and forests, anyway, Leo !

[Pierre S]

All the towns around where my family lives in Normandy have sailing as an option for the sports part of the school curriculum. These are public schools between Courseulles and Arromanches, and there are a bunch of them.

I grew up 15 km inland from there, and there wasn't even the hint of sailing on the curriculum in both primary or secondary schools. Must be a very localized coastal thing.

[Lexpat]

All the towns around where my family lives in Normandy have sailing as an option for the sports part of the school curriculum. These are public schools between Courseulles and Arromanches, and there are a bunch of them.

I grew up 15 km inland from there, and there wasn't even the hint of sailing on the curriculum in both primary or secondary schools. Must be a very localized coastal thing.

Which century ?

[Pierre S]

Last one, I'm afraid.

[Lexpat]

Last one, I'm afraid.

No worry , me too.
D'ar c'hentañ gwel !

[nkb]

http://www.lizwardley.com/

googletranslate should be good enough.

Basically her and Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty's sponsors never came through with the cash despite press conferences etc confirming the opposite.

She's (understandably) pissed.

[auscat]

http://www.lizwardley.com/

googletranslate should be good enough.

Basically her and Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty's sponsors never came through with the cash despite press conferences etc confirming the opposite.

She's (understandably) pissed.

That sucks.Liz is a tough nut and I'm sure she'll bounce back.

[DtM]

Given where she must be at in her programme, how much would it cost from now to the finish of the race?

[nkb]

She"s nowhere in her program. That's the problem. They had her hanging around waiting on an empty promise for 4 months. They never bought a boat, never did anything - except 'say' they were going to do it.

She says that she has until June to find a sponsor independently and if she gets one in that time she can put a VG project together.

What sucks is that she was in full swing with the rowing project, she stopped it because of this and now its too late to start it up again.

[hermitCrab]

She"s nowhere in her program. That's the problem. They had her hanging around waiting on an empty promise for 4 months. They never bought a boat, never did anything - except 'say' they were going to do it.

She says that she has until June to find a sponsor independently and if she gets one in that time she can put a VG project together.

What sucks is that she was in full swing with the rowing project, she stopped it because of this and now its too late to start it up again.

Don't legal contracts get signed and that sort of thing at this level?

[Potter]

She"s nowhere in her program. That's the problem. They had her hanging around waiting on an empty promise for 4 months. They never bought a boat, never did anything - except 'say' they were going to do it.

She says that she has until June to find a sponsor independently and if she gets one in that time she can put a VG project together.

What sucks is that she was in full swing with the rowing project, she stopped it because of this and now its too late to start it up again.

Don't legal contracts get signed and that sort of thing at this level?

The problem being that at this late stage you need to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. So you get as much organised and ready to roll as you possibly can before actually havign to hand over money. In the menatime you continue the talks with the sponsor, trying to tie down a contract and actually get the money in the bank.
I have previously been lucky enough to get down payments on sponsorship in order to get things rolling whilst still getting the contract sorted, basically a payment against a 'heads of agreement'. However this is a rarity. More often than not you commit wholeheartedly to a project as soon as you think the firm 'yes' from a potential sponsor is more than just a vague promise. However, unfortunately until the money is in the bank or the ink is dry on the contract you have to keep pushing forward in the hope that nobody will change their mind.

Gutted for Liz.

[moody frog]

She"s nowhere in her program. That's the problem. They had her hanging around waiting on an empty promise for 4 months. They never bought a boat, never did anything - except 'say' they were going to do it.

She says that she has until June to find a sponsor independently and if she gets one in that time she can put a VG project together.

What sucks is that she was in full swing with the rowing project, she stopped it because of this and now its too late to start it up again.

Don't legal contracts get signed and that sort of thing at this level?

The problem being that at this late stage you need to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. So you get as much organised and ready to roll as you possibly can before actually havign to hand over money. In the menatime you continue the talks with the sponsor, trying to tie down a contract and actually get the money in the bank.
I have previously been lucky enough to get down payments on sponsorship in order to get things rolling whilst still getting the contract sorted, basically a payment against a 'heads of agreement'. However this is a rarity. More often than not you commit wholeheartedly to a project as soon as you think the firm 'yes' from a potential sponsor is more than just a vague promise. However, unfortunately until the money is in the bank or the ink is dry on the contract you have to keep pushing forward in the hope that nobody will change their mind.

Gutted for Liz.

Reading through Liz's and Dejeanty's news it would appear that they had a 3 years contract signed, they both say that they had to legally evidence that the "sponsor" was not fulfilling his side of the contract (money) and get the contract declared as moot to cover themselves. Which would seem to indicate that the "potential sponsor" credentials are so low, that not much is to be expected from forcing him to execute the contract.

[Potter]

She"s nowhere in her program. That's the problem. They had her hanging around waiting on an empty promise for 4 months. They never bought a boat, never did anything - except 'say' they were going to do it.

She says that she has until June to find a sponsor independently and if she gets one in that time she can put a VG project together.

What sucks is that she was in full swing with the rowing project, she stopped it because of this and now its too late to start it up again.

Don't legal contracts get signed and that sort of thing at this level?

The problem being that at this late stage you need to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. So you get as much organised and ready to roll as you possibly can before actually havign to hand over money. In the menatime you continue the talks with the sponsor, trying to tie down a contract and actually get the money in the bank.
I have previously been lucky enough to get down payments on sponsorship in order to get things rolling whilst still getting the contract sorted, basically a payment against a 'heads of agreement'. However this is a rarity. More often than not you commit wholeheartedly to a project as soon as you think the firm 'yes' from a potential sponsor is more than just a vague promise. However, unfortunately until the money is in the bank or the ink is dry on the contract you have to keep pushing forward in the hope that nobody will change their mind.

Gutted for Liz.

Reading through Liz's and Dejeanty's news it would appear that they had a 3 years contract signed, they both say that they had to legally evidence that the "sponsor" was not fulfilling his side of the contract (money) and get the contract declared as moot to cover themselves. Which would seem to indicate that the "potential sponsor" credentials are so low, that not much is to be expected from forcing him to execute the contract.

It is shit. Surely at some point somebody in the sponsoring company realised that they were not going to come up with the funds. Just to keep Jean-Baptiste and Liz hanging on is pretty friggin poor. I guess if they are having financial issues then a sponsorship deal slips down the importance list, but pretty friggin poor.

[moody frog]

She"s nowhere in her program. That's the problem. They had her hanging around waiting on an empty promise for 4 months. They never bought a boat, never did anything - except 'say' they were going to do it.

She says that she has until June to find a sponsor independently and if she gets one in that time she can put a VG project together.

What sucks is that she was in full swing with the rowing project, she stopped it because of this and now its too late to start it up again.

Don't legal contracts get signed and that sort of thing at this level?

The problem being that at this late stage you need to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. So you get as much organised and ready to roll as you possibly can before actually havign to hand over money. In the menatime you continue the talks with the sponsor, trying to tie down a contract and actually get the money in the bank.
I have previously been lucky enough to get down payments on sponsorship in order to get things rolling whilst still getting the contract sorted, basically a payment against a 'heads of agreement'. However this is a rarity. More often than not you commit wholeheartedly to a project as soon as you think the firm 'yes' from a potential sponsor is more than just a vague promise. However, unfortunately until the money is in the bank or the ink is dry on the contract you have to keep pushing forward in the hope that nobody will change their mind.

Gutted for Liz.

Reading through Liz's and Dejeanty's news it would appear that they had a 3 years contract signed, they both say that they had to legally evidence that the "sponsor" was not fulfilling his side of the contract (money) and get the contract declared as moot to cover themselves. Which would seem to indicate that the "potential sponsor" credentials are so low, that not much is to be expected from forcing him to execute the contract.

It is shit. Surely at some point somebody in the sponsoring company realised that they were not going to come up with the funds. Just to keep Jean-Baptiste and Liz hanging on is pretty friggin poor. I guess if they are having financial issues then a sponsorship deal slips down the importance list, but pretty friggin poor.

Did they ever have the funds is the question around !! very very bad smell

[hermitCrab]

So now there are 16 "confirmed" entries with 6 months to go. How many will actually take the start? 12? 13? It seems very late in the game of preparation for anyone not already funded to mount a campaign.
How many of the current entries have boats that can compete to win? How many potentially competitive boats are there that are not currently entered?
If the attrition rate is similar to last time only 4 or 5 will finish.
There are so many excellent and deserving sailors who will not compete.

[12345]

Last go round was great, looking forward to the start.

[mad]

The problem being that at this late stage you need to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. So you get as much organised and ready to roll as you possibly can before actually havign to hand over money. In the menatime you continue the talks with the sponsor, trying to tie down a contract and actually get the money in the bank.
I have previously been lucky enough to get down payments on sponsorship in order to get things rolling whilst still getting the contract sorted, basically a payment against a 'heads of agreement'. However this is a rarity. More often than not you commit wholeheartedly to a project as soon as you think the firm 'yes' from a potential sponsor is more than just a vague promise. However, unfortunately until the money is in the bank or the ink is dry on the contract you have to keep pushing forward in the hope that nobody will change their mind.

Gutted for Liz.

Reading through Liz's and Dejeanty's news it would appear that they had a 3 years contract signed, they both say that they had to legally evidence that the "sponsor" was not fulfilling his side of the contract (money) and get the contract declared as moot to cover themselves. Which would seem to indicate that the "potential sponsor" credentials are so low, that not much is to be expected from forcing him to execute the contract.

It is shit. Surely at some point somebody in the sponsoring company realised that they were not going to come up with the funds. Just to keep Jean-Baptiste and Liz hanging on is pretty friggin poor. I guess if they are having financial issues then a sponsorship deal slips down the importance list, but pretty friggin poor.

Did they ever have the funds is the question around !! very very bad smell

No Vendee Globe For Liz Wardley
Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty's sailing team, officially announced on February 1st that Liz Wardley would compete in the next Vendee Globe. It was a dream come true for the young yachtswoman. Unfortunately, the dream soon became a nightmare. Despite signed contracts, positive announcements and press conferences, the sponsor did not keep his promises. There was no financial contribution on his part and therefore no boat, which led Liz Wardley to terminate the contract as her official notice had remained unanswered. Today, with seven months to go before the round-the-world race starts, the sad reality is dawning on Liz Wardley : "The project is dead, I'm not doing the Vendee Globe anymore."

Continues here

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