More than 25% of Skippers return to Port as the Vendee Globe kicks off

The Vendee Globe, now in its ninth year, is arguably the toughest race in the sailing world with a single-handed, non-stop journey of 26,000 miles. The 2008 Globe began on the 9th November at Les Sables d’Olonne with 30 skippers all facing a journey that will take them roughly 3 months.

A combination of adverse weather and high seas has kept the fleet on their toes as the second night at sea delivered cold, battering winds to the Bay of Biscay. 

Less than two days into the challenge and already the race has claimed its first victims, with eight out of the 30 skippers who began the race returning to the port of Les Sables d’Olonne for repairs. Skipper Mike Golding, loaded with as much Garmin navigation equipment as his boat could carry, has made up ten places over night to reach 13th place.

Golding is currently heading away from his initial southerly position and taking a more northerly route in a bid to close the 19 mile gap between his 60 ft open, Ecover, and the current race leader Guillemot.