Vendee Globe

Vendee Globe

A non-stop solo round-the-world race held. In 2001, Briton Ellen MacArthur, 24, became the youngest and fastest female to sail round the planet. MacArthur's Kingfisher took 94 days to race from Les Sables d'Olonne on France's west coast and back, eastabout - east around the world with the prevailing wind.

She was second by just over a day from France's Michel Desjoyeaux.

In 1996, Briton Pete Goss rescued France's Raphael Dinelli and Tony Bullimore survived for several days inside his boat before rescue.

On November 9th 2008, 20 navigators will set sails aboard their monohulls, heading towards the three great capes, marking the southern tips of the African continent, Australia and America. The Vendée Globe will start, for the 6th time, from the harbour of Les Sables d’Olonne, where it was born.

http://www.vendeeglobe.fr/uk/