Travel another way

The 2008 Vendée Globe Race started last week for its 19th edition.

For about 3 months, the bravest sailers  in the world will compete in the craziest race around the world. The conditions are the toughest: singlehanders in a monhull, no stopover and no assistance.

The men and women that left Les sables d’Olonne last week are about to face a world of solitude, that will reach its climax when they circle the South pole around Christmas time. They will have to fight critical sea conditions: nerve-breaking dead calms ,  scary gales, sleepless hours among icebergs and many technical problems which will have to be taken care of without external help.

Most sailers are French and British this year (28 men and 2 women), with only one American, Rich Wilson, from Massachusetts.

If you are not an expert at sailing, I invite you to join the race, comfortably sitting in your armchair, signing-up for the virtual race on France 3 website. It is very fun! I have 2 boats racing: Sonyzen and French Escapade, of course ! I am learning every day how to manage the different sails and the winds ! I love it.

Here are the sites to check about the race … or to race yourself!

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/

http://regate-virtuelle.france3.fr/