The start of the Vendée Globe will be given on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 1:02 pm, off Les Sables-d'Olonne. The boats will leave the pontoons in a specific order and at a specific time . Thus, they will cast off every 4 minutes starting at 8:50 am. The last one, PRB, will leave Port Olona at 10:42 am. They will parade in the channel to reach the starting area.
Where to stand to watch the departure of the boats?
euros land
Don't expect to walk the pontoons on the morning of the start as they will be closed to the public. However, you will be able to follow the sailors and their boats from the village.
The best places remain the two dikes along the channel:
- The one on the left side of Sables-d'Olonne with the big beach
- The one on the right, on the Chaume side, with the large pier
Here are also the other places where you can enjoy the show:
- The quays, Sables-d'Olonne side, in front of the fishing port
- The quays of La Chaume (village attached to Sables-d'Olonne) between the old sub-prefecture and the marina's harbour master's office.
- The beach and embankment of Les Sables, next to the big beach
- The Corniche des Sables
- The beach of Tanchet
- The Hell-well
- Port Bourgenay in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire
In any case, bring binoculars!
On the water
The start of the Vendée Globe can also be followed from the sea, aboard your own boat. However, you will have to respect a lot of rules (downloadable on the race website, in the "Attend the start" section) and take the usual precautions. Attention, the channel and the port will be closed to navigation from 8 am to noon. A public information will be broadcasted on the VHF Marine Channel 01 to follow the departure procedures, starting at 8:30 am.
You will have to be careful not to get too close to the competing boats, but also make sure to respect the rules of navigation and the other spectator boats.
Finally, many paid outings are also organized on the water for the public.
from what time to arrive?
The strategic places are expensive. It is therefore necessary to arrive early (well before sunrise), or even to sleep on site to hope to attend the departure. If you come by car, you will have to park your car (3 parking lots are available) and then take the shuttle to the port. Finally, you will have to walk a little more to find a suitable place.
However, you should know that as of 5:00 a.m., part of the city will be cordoned off, especially in the vicinity of Port Olona.
