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http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vendée_Globe The Vendée Globe is a round-the-world single-handed yacht race, sailed non-stop and without assistance.[1] The race was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989, and since 1992 has taken place every four years. As the only single-handed non-stop round-the-world race (in contrast to the VELUX 5 Oceans Race, which is sailed in stages), the race is a serious test of individual endurance, and is regarded by many as the ultimate in ocean racing. History The race was founded in 1989 by French yachtsman Philippe Jeantot. Jeantot had competed in the BOC Challenge (now the VELUX 5 Oceans Race) in 1982-1983 and 1986-1987, winning both times. Dissatisfied with the race's format, he decided to set up a new round-the-world non-stop race, which he felt would be the ultimate challenge for single-handed sailors.[2] The first edition of the race was run in 1989-1990, and was won by Titouan Lamazou; Jeantot himself took part, and placed fourth.[3] The next edition of the race was in 1992-1993; and it has since then been run every four years. The boats The race is open to monohull yachts conforming to the Open 60 class criteria. (Prior to 2004, the race was also open to Open 50 boats.) The Open classes are unrestricted in certain aspects, but a box rule governs parameters such as overall length, draught, appendages and stability, as well as numerous other safety features. The race The race starts and finishes in Les Sables-d'Olonne, in the Vendée département of France; both Les Sables dOlonne and the Vendée Conseil Général are official race sponsors.[4] The course is essentially a circumnavigation along the clipper route: from Les Sables dOlonne, down the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope; then clockwise around Antarctica, keeping Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn to port; then back to Les Sables dOlonne.[5] The race generally runs from November to February; and is timed to place the competitors in the Southern Ocean during the austral summer. Additional waypoints may be set in the sailing instructions for a particular race, in order to ensure safety relative to ice conditions, etc. For example, in 2004, the racers had to pass north of the following flexible waypoints: a gate south of South Africa, situated at 44° South, between 005° East and 014° East Heard Island a gate to the South west of Australia, situated at 47° South, between 103° East and 113° East a gate to the south east of Australia, situated at 52° South, between 136° East and 147° East a gate in the Pacific Ocean, situated at 55° South, between 160° West and 149° West a gate in the Pacific Ocean, situated at 55° South, between 126° West and 115° West The competitors may stop at anchor, but may not draw alongside a quay or another vessel; they may receive no outside assistance, including customised weather or routing information. The only exception is that a competitor who has an early problem may return to the start for repairs and then re-start the race, as long the re-start is within 10 days of the official start. The race presents significant challenges; most notably the severe wind and wave conditions in the Southern Ocean, the long unassisted duration of the race, and the fact that the course takes competitors far from the reach of any normal emergency response. A significant proportion of the entrants usually retire, and in the 1996-1997 race Canadian Gerry Roufs was lost at sea.[6] To mitigate the risks, competitors are required to undergo medical and survival courses. They must also be able to demonstrate prior racing experience; either a completed single-handed trans-oceanic race or the completion of a previous Vendée Globe. The qualifying race must have been completed on the same boat as the one the sailor will race in the Vendée; or the competitor must complete an additional trans-oceanic observation passage, of not less than 2,500 miles, at an average speed of at least 7 knots 13 (km/h...