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News from the Vendee Globe village with one week to go until the start of the singlehanded round the world race

Superb weather today in Les Sables d’Olonne and at the official Vendée Globe village where the conditions are likely to see visitor numbers on the pontoons topped once again. 16,000 people strolled around the pontoons yesterday, bringing the grand total to 175,000...

Among the visitors have been a large number of corporate guests. For example Vendée-based manufacturer of building materials, PRB, sponsor of Vincent’s Riou and winner of the 2000 Vendee Globe with Michel Desjoyeaux, has since the village opened on 16 October, taken almost 3,000 clients and members of staff down onto the pontoons.

At 1400 GMT (1500 local time) on Wednesday Laurent Bourgnon will christen Austrian entry Norbert Sedlacek’s monohull Brother. The two time Route du Rhum winner and the singlehanded transatlantic record holder will share this honour with Louis Cordier (aged 8) and Arnaud Collot (aged 28), who both have cancer and are members of the charity 'A chacun son Everest' (To each his Everest), set up and run by Christine Janin.

Meanwhile Raphaël Dinelli’s boat Akena Vérandas will be named by cyclist, Thomas Voekler from the Brioches La Boulangère team. Voekler wore the yellow jersey in the 2004 Tour de France and is also the French champion for 2004. The ceremony will take place at 15.30GMT (16.30 local time) on Wednesday.

With a week to go until the start of the fifth Vendee Globe skippers are already preparing themselves physically. Skandia skipper Nick Moloney says he will spend one or two nights on board his Open 60 this week, with the alarm set to wake him up at regular intervals, in order to prepare his body a little for the pattern for the following three months.

Meanwhile in order to focus fully on the race Sill skipper Roland Jourdain has already said goodbye to his wife and two children until the race start, having spent last week on holiday with them.

Hellomoto skipper Conrad Humphrey gives some insight into the buzz in Les Sables d'Olonne:

“For thousands of people, to come and see the boats and skippers taking part in Vendée Globe is something of a pilgrimage. Clutching their race programmes, scrapbooks and newspaper special editions, they spend a few moments transfixed by the boats, touching the bowsprit or part of the rigging, knocking on the hull softly, before eagerly thrusting their autograph material into my hands. I have never felt quite so humble…I was simply not prepared for the affection and admiration that is held for each of the Vendée skippers and their boats…

"Other priorities this week included a fleet safety inspection, which was carried out meticulously by the race organisers. The lessons learnt from the 1996/7 race where French skipper Thierry Dubois boat capsized off SW Australia. His life raft wouldn’t inflate in the cold southern ocean temperatures and this has meant new safety checks to some of the essential kit. These guys are so thorough, they even noticed that the Mars Bars in my emergency grab bag were out of date and told me that I had to replace them!

"Then the medical course arranged by the race organisers took place. The race doctor, Jean-Yves Chauve, has a wealth of experience, particularly in remote medical operations, and successfully helped Pete Goss nurse Raphael Dinelli back to health after his dramatic rescue in the Southern Ocean during the 1996-7 race. He also helped another previous competitor, Bertrand de Broc, when he had to sew his tongue back on. We practiced this ourselves but using pigs’ trotters. All very easy in the confines of a classroom…

"And finally, the time has come now to say goodbye to friends and family at home - and buy a few Christmas presents before the off! Vikki and I are used to spending Christmas apart, but this will be my first one alone. It seems a long way off right now, and I’ll take one day at a time, but there will inevitably be times like Christmas Day where being on my own will be tougher than usual…

"So, the whole of the Motorola Ocean Racing team will all be together in Les Sables d’Olonne this Sunday, and our goal is to be race ready at the end of this week so that we can enjoy the race build up and excitement in France for the final few days after all the hard work that’s gone in to getting the boat and myself ready. I imagine I’ll be taking it all in with some awe and amazement!”