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7:06 PM Tue 4 Nov 2008 GMT
Vendee Globe. To each ocean its own music: in a minor key we have the voyage down and back up the Atlantic; the crashing crescendos of the southern sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. In order to be the perfect conductor, each yachtsman has his or her own method and tempo. We look here at four very different characters, who each present one movement of this major opus.
Here is our quartet: a former winner, Vincent Riou, a newcomer to solo racing, but with two circumnavigations under his belt, Yann Elies, a rookie as far as the Vend?e Globe is concerned, Derek Hatfield and an old hand, Roland Jourdain. From the harbour in Les Sables d'Olonne to the southernmost tip of Tierra del Fuego, they will each be trying to find the ideal route and will be experiencing joys and disappointments, as they sail their way through this epic voyage. We asked them to offer us their personal vision of what they have experienced on the world's oceans.
Heading down the Atlantic by Yann Elies (Generali): the stage is set for the first eliminations.
'This voyage down is a bit like a roller-coaster ride: at one point you have the wind, you are zooming along, and then it all slows right down to a snail's pace. Moreover, it is a winding route to get down to the forties, so we'll all be watching each other. The voyage down will be very technical and tactical. Who knows, it may even be in this portion that the Vend?e Globe is decided for some of the competitors? We're going to have to be very cunning and be up with the leaders, when they hop on to the weather system. Those who don't make it to the train (of lows) on time will find it hard to recover the lost ground.'
The Indian Ocean by Roland Jourdain (V?olia): a different world.
'The Indian Ocean marks the start of the grey weather, the first albatrosses and the storm petrel. It is never easy here. There are cross seas because of the lows circling the globe, gales hitting you one after another and the coastal effects off the tip of Africa. Here you can move away from the theoretical polars. You always feel that you can go faster: However, as soon as you hoist too much canvas, you pay a high cost.'
The Pacific by Derek Hatfield (Algimouss - Spirit of Canada): a permanent danger.
'For me, the Pacific is the most dangerous of all of them. The voyage down to Cape Horn, is often very tricky with the coast of Chile leeward. You are far from everything. Cape Horn is the moment of deliverance, but the difficulties are not over yet. During my single-handed round the world voyage, I suffered eighty knot winds and I capsized. The Horn is a bit like a mountain peak. Even if you have suffered getting there, beyond it's like a downward journey.'
Climbing back up the Atlantic by Vincent Riou (PRB): long and stressful.
'This is an interesting stretch, but it is long, very long. When you round The Horn, you think it's all over, while you still have 7000 miles left to sail. Even if the stretch is interesting, the climb back up is very stressful: you know that the boat is tired; as soon as the conditions ease off, you give the boat a thorough check-up. It's very tiring and tough on the nerves, because the air masses are very unstable and you can win or lose all here. It should be said that in my own case, I have some great memories of this, as it is here I achieved my victory. This year once again, we can well imagine that the leader at Cape Horn won't be the leader at the finish. '
Michel Desjoyeaux, winner in 2000-1 and one of the acknowledged favourites to win this edition, held his pre-race press conference this morning:
He predicted: 'We should have a quiet start on Sunday with a 15-20 knot south-westerly. These conditions won't put the boats under too much strain, and will allow everyone to get into their stride'
Of the pace of the race he expects: 'Eight years ago, I gave myself the goal of not exceeding an average of 20 knots per day. This time with so many determined racers taking part, we will certainly have to go faster than that. We're going to spend the first month with the accelerator stuck to the floor!'
Experience: 'The fact that I've already done the Vend?e Globe may not be a real advantage. It just allows me to feel more at ease with only a few days to go before the start. In previous races, four out of five winners were taking part for the first time. It requires a little innocence and a breath of fresh air!'
Forecast: 'In 2000, I was 24 hours ahead of Ellen MacArthur. Four years ago, Vincent (Riou) finished 6 hours ahead of Jean (Le Cam). It wouldn't be surprising if this time the two at the front finish within sight of each other.'
Weather in the south: 'In 2000, the forecasts were valid for five days. Now, we have sixteen-day forecasts, but which may not be very reliable. But they do allow us to plan for seven or eight days ahead. That enables you to look at what is coming up and avoid the worst storms. Moreover, the safety gates are further north than before and take us away from the worst gales.'
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