British solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari today arrived in Les Sables d'Olonne, France where the sixth edition of the Vendée Globe solo round the world yacht race starts on 9 November. All 30 skippers and boats will be present in the port by 18 October for the official opening of the race village as the final count down to the race start begins.
British solo yachtswoman Dee Caffari today arrived in Les Sables d'Olonne, France where the sixth edition of the Vendée Globe solo round the world yacht race starts on 9 November. All 30 skippers and boats will be present in the port by 18 October for the official opening of the race village as the final count down to the race start begins.
Caffari said from the dockside in the French seaside town: "It's an incredible feeling to be here in Les Sables d'Olonne. Aviva and I have been preparing to get here all year and as we came in on this morning's tide the realisation hit - the count down to the Vendée Globe start really steps up a gear. With five boats already in the race village and more arriving everyday there is a real buzz about the place. It's a great feeling to finally have arrived in this Mecca and make the Vendee Globe Race real.
"The team have put so much work into Aviva and everything went well on the delivery, we made easy miles and did some testing with charging and fuel consumption as we are now down to the fine details of what exactly will come with me on the race. Being here as a skipper for the first time is also pretty nerve-wracking. I can't wait for the race village to open this weekend as the French public are such great fans of this race and their support will really help the nerves."
The Vendée Globe race village opens this Saturday 18 October where the Aviva Ocean Racing stand will be accessible to the estimated 850,000 fans and sailing enthusiasts expected to pass through the gates.
To follow Dee's progress in the race, read her daily diaries and see her latest videos and images log on www.avivaoceanracing.com/.
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