How to follow the start

Next Sunday, that is the 10th of November, the 40 skippers of the Vendée Globe will start the 10th edition of the legendary solo non stop round the world race. From 8 a.m. (local time France, +1hr UTC) , the boats will cast off from the race pontoon one by one, every three minutes.

The first to leave the dock will be Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance), one of the favourites for the event. The sailors will then pass down the famous Les Sables d’Olonne channel, a symbolic passage which is always the public’s last chance to bid farewell to the skippers and for the solo racers themselves to share this special, emotional moment with the tens of thousands of well wishers who always line the channel. After three weeks of celebrations in the race Village this, as always, is the final interaction before the start gun to send the fleet on its way around the world. The race itself starts at 1302hrs (local time).

Follow the start from home

Two live start programmes will be produced by the organisation, the first from 7:30 am to 10:30 am (local times) for the dock out from the pontoon, then from 12:15 pm to 2 pm (local times) for the start on the water and the first few miles of the course. Thanks to advanced techniques, real-time data and new graphical design, these live broadcasts promise to be entertaining and informative for the public.

Several options are available to spectators to follow the start from home:

Television

Many channels around the world will broadcast stat day live from the pontoon and at sea. The full list will be published on November 6.

Digital

The start day programmes will be broadcast live on the Vendée Globe's YouTube channel, the race's website, and the official Facebook page.

 Follow the start in Les Sables d'Olonne

In the village

The Vendée Globe village will open its doors at 7am to welcome visitors. Access is reserved for holders of an e-ticket, available as on the other opening days on the official website of the race. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the start and to see the skippers set sail from the quay, as the pontoon is closed to the public (on 9 and 10 November). Giant screens will broadcast the live departures in the village and the stands will remain open until 8 p.m. to maximised the experience.

The channel

Spectators will be able to gather along the channel, which is equipped with sound for the occasion to accompany the passage of the 40 boats. As the public is expected in large numbers, the organization is asking everyone to be considerate to guarantee everyone an optimal experience. On the La Chaume side, a giant screen will be installed at the foot of the Arundel Tower.

It is also possible to see the start from the main beach of Les Sables d'Olonne, but binoculars are recommended to better appreciate the show. There will be a giant screen, near the channel, facing the main beach.

Do be aware though that traffic will be greatly disrupted in Les Sables d'Olonne from the evening of the 9th, all the information can be found on the city's website.

Other viewpoints around the city

For those who prefer less crowded places, the beaches of Tanchet, the Puits d'Enfer, the bay of Cayola, as well as the beaches of La Paracou and Sauveterre also offer views of the starting area. However, you will need binoculars to enjoy the show.

These areas are Natura 2000 areas (SPA FR5400469 Pertuis Charentais & SPA FR5212015 Marine Sector of the Île d'Yeu), the organisation invites the public to be particularly vigilant to respect fragile ecosystems: stay on the marked trails, respect the instructions on site, leave no waste and avoid any trampling so as not to endanger animal and plant species on these sites.

For boaters

Yachtsmen will also be able to watch the start at sea from a specific area, which will be determined on 6 November and can be consulted on the interactive map of the Vendée Globe website. The port of Les Sables d'Olonne will be closed from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Compliance with safety instructions and increased vigilance are essential for the smooth running of the departure at sea.

Thanks to this complete system, everyone will be able to fully experience the emotion of this start, a moment of high intensity celebrating adventure and challenge!

PARTNER IN THE SPOTLIGHT

With 7 days to go to the start, the countdown continues with Ulysse Nardin, Official Timekeeper of the Vendée Globe. From the valley of Le Locle, where the Manufacture is anchored today, Ulysse Nardin combines its passion for marine exploration and watchmaking excellence, and owes its renown to its on-board chronometers, which are among the most award-winning and reliable ever designed.