Stricken around-the-world yachtsman rescued by navy

(CNN) -- A French yachtsman badly injured during the Vendee Globe solo round-the-world race was rescued Saturday by an Australian Navy ship around 1,400 kilometers (850 miles) south of Perth.

Yann Elies, pictured aboard the Generali at the start of the Vendee Global race.

The frigate HMAS Arunta had been dispatched to rescue Yann Elies after he broke his left leg on Thursday when his boat, the Generali, slammed into a wave, knocking him into the deck.

He had managed to drag himself back into the 18-meter vessel's cabin but had been unable to reach any painkillers, food or water. Race officials had classed Elies as being in a life-threatening condition.

Two crew members transferred Elies aboard the Arunta earlier Saturday, according to the Vendee Globe Web site.

Read More:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/12/20/yachting.vendee.rescue/

Sailing the Hugo Boss Open 60

An Update from France: Vendee Globe Starts

The send off was huge. Every vantage point along the canal from the haven of Les Sables d’Olonne port to the sea was jammed deep with tens of thousands of well wishers.

There were tears on the dockside as lines were slipped, and dozens and dozens of messages along the long stretch of sea walls that funneled the record sized fleet to sea – from the simple and direct, to the personal, or the generic ‘Yes We Can’. The atmosphere was everything that makes the Vendée Globe a truly unique experience. More than 300,000 people bid the 30 skippers on their way.
The record entry of 30 boats answered the start gun at 1302hrs (local time/1202GMT) under grey, threatening skies with an awkward swell and 13-18 knots of breeze — the skippers setting off in the knowledge that winds of up to 45 knots await them. 

24hrs to go: Vendee Globe: Around the World Alone Race

Down on the pontoons in Les Sables d’Olonne, the looks on the faces have changed. Their minds are now elsewhere looking ahead to the near future, where land will be but a memory. There is a mixture of excitement and apprehension. For the sailors getting ready to set sail in 24 hours at the start of the non-stop single-handed round the world voyage, these final moments ashore are packed with contradictory emotions, making this an extremely difficult moment to get through.
Follow the race at www.vendeeglobe.org

Hugo Boss dismasts following a collision

While located two miles off Les Sables d’Olonne, Alex Thomson was hit by a fishing boat, which rammed into the side of Hugo Boss causing her to dismast. The monohull is now moored in the commercial harbour, where an inspection will be carried out…

It was around 2h30 (local time) on Friday morning that Hugo Boss was struck by a fishing boat, leading to the monohull dismasting and causing some major damage to the starboard side. The boat was towed to the commercial harbour in Les Sables d’Olonne, where she is due to be inspected later today. A press conference will take place this afternoon with Alex Thomson, who will explain what exactly happened and give us more information about the intentions of the Hugo Boss team. 

Read More:http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/news/5028/hugo-boss-dismasts-following-a-collision.html

What the figures tell us

There have already been five editions of the non-stop single-handed round the world race without assistance, and the exceptional nature of the figures can send your mind reeling! While the statistics give us a general picture of the Vendée Globe, we also obtain a portrait of the typical winner…

Sleep: the average length of sleep over 24 hours during the three months of racing: 5 hours

The age of the captain:
The youngest entrant: Ellen MacArthur in 2000 - 2001 :she was 24
The oldest: Jose de Ugarte in 1992-1993:he was 62
The youngest winner of the Vendée Globe: Alain Gautier in 1993, who was 30
The oldest winner: Christophe Auguin at the age of 37

Read More: http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/news/5037/what-the-figures-tell-us.html