The organisers at the Vendée Globe headquarters are already rejoicing: no fewer than 27 daring skippers have submitted their entries for the 2016/17 Vendée Globe. Four to six more last-minute campaigns could still be added. This means that the organisers are expecting the largest fleet in the history of the solo non-stop regatta around the world. The eighth edition of the classic race, the first edition of which was won by Frenchman Titouan Lamazou in 1989/1990 after 109 days, 8 hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds, begins on 6 November 2016 off Les Sables d'Olonne, where the fleet traditionally gathers. The best time over the course with its theoretical length of 24,393 nautical miles is held by the last brilliant winner François Gabart with 78 days, 2 hours, 16 minutes and 40 seconds.
This year's list of participants includes almost all of the well-known French one-handed stars: Vincent Riou, Jérémie Beyou, Armel Le Cléac'h, Jean-Pierre Dick, Sébastien Josse, Yann Eliès, Jean Le Cam, Bertrand de Broc and other compatriots are also preparing to dominate this race around the world. Their challengers from other nations include Alex Thomson with his "Hugo Boss", the American Rich Wilson, the Dutchman Pieter Heerema, the Swiss Alan Roura and Nandor Fa from Hungary.
It is still "only" an entry list, which may change in the coming weeks and months because campaigns may not get the money together after all or new skippers may join at the last minute. Although the maximum number of participants is limited to 27 according to the announcement, the organisers are also expecting further changes. There are even said to be two teams that are not yet on the list of the three provisionally registered skippers Alessandro di Benedetto, Jean-François Pellet and Conrad Colman.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
