A lot of emotion this morning on the Vendée Globe pontoon in Les Sables-d'Olonne. This Sunday 8th November 2020, the curfew introduced by the prefecture, forbids the public to be present on the quays of the town. As a result, with a carefully planned organisation, each skipper went down to the pontoon in the order of departure from the pontoon.
This year, every 4 minutes, an IMOCA leaves the pontoon. In previous years, it was one boat every 10 minutes. So the pace is much faster also because of the number of competitors. This year, 33 skippers are taking the start.
Another notable change for 2020, the sun! Indeed, while the day came with a nice fog, it quickly vanished.
Each skipper has his own little word before boarding. "A special start this year, because it's a beautiful day. We would have dreamed of a start like this in previous years, it's the perfect start." says Jean Le Cam, who already has four starts behind him.
The boats were ordered by the organisation to move up the channel quickly, at a speed of 4 knots. Very few people to welcome them as the Sablais are not allowed to go out in the streets or on the beach (a curfew is in place). Only the privileged few who have an apartment with a "channel view" can be at the windows. Nothing to do with the thousands of visitors that we usually see ...
This does not prevent the emotion of the skippers who all have tears close to their eyes, some of whom even come out when they say goodbye...
Start procedure for the 2020 Vendée Globe
The start is scheduled at 13:42 (initially at 13:02 but postponed for 40 minutes due to fog on the start line)
To understand what's going to happen on the water in the minutes before, here's the starting procedure:
- H-18 min ( 13 h 22 )
The Vedettes Presse (Bénéteau) leave the area. The skippers can take down the dodgers (Vendée Globe flags and those of the sponsors) - H-8 min ( 13 h 34 ) Warning signal.
Beginning of the race procedure. Sending of the Vendée Globe flag on the committee boat accompanied by a sound signal. The Highfield RIBs (except the safety ones) leave the area. - H - 4 min ( 13 h 38 ) Preparatory signal
Sending of the "P" flag on the committee boat accompanied by a long sound signal.
All crewmembers must have disembarked. The skipper is alone on board. It's the beginning of the solitaire... - H-1 min ( 13 h 41 )
Flag down "P" + 1 long signal - H ( 13 h 42 ) Departure
Lowered from the Vendée Globe flag and an audible signal. The committee boat no longer flies any flag.
