Let the proceedings begin

All 30 Open 60s now present in Les Sables d'Olonne as the race village is officially opened

With the official opening of the Vendée Globe village by Philippe de Villiers at 1000 this morning, so the Vendée Globe is well and truly in the starting blocks. All of the solo skippers were present for the official photographs and the welcoming briefing, while the crowds have turned up to see the stands and educational displays along the dock at the top of the pontoons.

A lot of people, a great atmosphere, sunshine, a wide range of informative displays, Irish music, immaculate monohulls alongside the pontoons in Port Olona: the sixth Vendée Globe is underway! This Saturday morning, the crowds gathered around the personalities, who were also there to discover the 30 round the world yachts and to welcome their skippers and to stroll through the aisles of the huge village set up around the marina. There were a lot of people, but this did not lead to any hold-ups around the pontoons and events. Between today and the start on 9 November, hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected in the race village in Les Sables de Olonne's Port Olona. On the Place du Vendée Globe, right next to the race pontoon, which is completely open to the public, the village reflects the exceptional character of this Vendée Globe. The village is spread over on more than 15,000 m 2 including a covered area of 9000 m 2.

Open from 1000-2100 daily the public will be able to discover:

• A 800sqm multimedia centre presenting the race and skippers with films, displays and models. In this centre, TV Vendée will be organising live meetings to be broadcast throughout the village and the department
• An 600sqm educational centre will offer more than 10,000 schoolchildren the opportunity to discover the history of sailing, the maritime heritage, the oceans and the environment using the Vendée Globe as an educational tool.
• An area dedicated to the Vendée Globe partners and the boats' sponsors, who will present their businesses and their involvement in sailing and ocean racing.
• A shopping centre where firms and tradesmen will be displaying and selling their products around two themes 'Vendée business', and 'The sea and sea sports'.
• Over more than 2000 sqm of catering areas, reception rooms and PR offices, which will remain open in the evenings and where a number of events are planned.

Once again the Vendée public-private partnership, the event organiser, wishes to stress the fact that the Vendée Globe is for the public. As for each Vendée Globe, the pontoons are open to all visitors. The fact that the public can get up close to the boats and the skippers is an important element, offering that very particular atmosphere of friendliness and openness you find at the Vendée Globe and nowhere else.


Events in the village

In the Vendée Globe village, dance and music from around the world will be bringing to life the pontoons and the bar: the organisers of this sixth solo non-stop round the world race really wanted to make this Vendée Globe village a place of celebration at the heart of Les Sables d’Olonne. Music and dance events from countries with a maritime tradition (Ireland, South Africa, Mexico, Colombia), will be taking place throughout the day and evening in the village.

Over 18-19 October, the village will open to the sound of the Clasac band from Dublin, Ireland, made up of more than 300 young men and women simply bursting with energy, the most enthusiastic of whom will be heading for Les Sables d’Olonne to excite the visitors with their tap dancing. Then over 25-26 October, South Africa will be in the spotlight with the descendants of the Swazi warriors, who inflicted so much hardship on the British in the Victorian era… Dressed in sumptuous costumes, the 25 artists belonging to the Matsamo cultural group will offer visitors some moments from the daily life of their people, who used to be the most powerful in Africa, thanks to the rhythm of their drums and their melodic and poetic songs.

Mexico will be honoured from 29 October to 2 November: the Mariachi Cocula Group was formed in 1993 by four fans of Mexican music, who wanted to make it more widely known through their regular performances. For the Vendée Globe Village, the group will be made up of 12 dancers and musicians (guitar, vihuela, guitarrón , violin and trumpet) and they will be playing some popular music from some of Mexico's top composers and musicians.

Finally, over 3-8 November, Colombia will close the musical festivities with the traditional ballet troupe Antioquia, founded in 1989, which has the aim of spreading Colombian traditions in Europe and around the world.. Proud of their triple heritage (Indian, Spanish and African), the 26 dancers in the Antioquia troupe, will be creating a magical atmosphere in the Vendée Globe Village with a ballet worthy of the world's top ballet companies.

Finally, each evening from 7.15, a light and sound show will bring to life the pontoons and the marina area tracing the route taken by the thirty Vendée Globe skippers…




First official briefing

After the official photos of the 30 solo skippers at the Vendée Globe pontoon this morning (at eleven, they went to the Palace cinema in Les Sables d’Olonne for the first official briefing. A friendly gathering to welcome the thirty sailors hosted by Philippe de Villiers, who said that "The Vendée Globe is something for everyone, for the yachtsmen and all those following them."

It gave the Vendée Globe organisers an opportunity to present the schedule for all the events taking place over the next three weeks leading up to the start on 9 November.

In the presence of the Prefect and the Maritime Prefect, the President of the Vendée Council handed the microphone to the Mayor of Les Sables d’Olonne, Louis Guédon, who promised that "Everything would be done to facilitate the skippers' preparations."

Then the President of Sodebo, Patricia Brochart expressed her satisfaction at seeing just how popular this sixth Vendée Globe Race is.

The Race Director, Denis Horeau confirmed the important briefings that lie ahead for the shore teams:
- Monday October 20th (9h15): explanation of the measurement rule checks
- Monday October 20th (10h00): explanation of the safety checks for the boats
- Monday November 3rd(10h00): explanation of the arrangements put in place for the start
- Saturday November 8th(10h00): briefing concerning the start and the weather…

Then, Sylvie Viant, President of the Race Committee, Bernard Bonnot, President of the Protest committee, Jean-Luc Gautier, President of the Measurement Committee stepped forward to explain the race procedures before Sophie Vercelletto, the General Director of the Vendée Globe, finished the briefing with a presentation of the layout of the village and the work areas set up for the Vendée Globe.

Philippe de Villiers invited all the solo skippers to a private dinner and announced that the famous French broadcaster, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor would be firing the starting gun on 9 November.