Geoff Holt

Geoff Holt has become the first quadriplegic to sail across the Atlantic. He has sailed the 2,700 mile journey across the Atlantic on a 60ft purpose built catamaran Impossible Dream, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.

It has taken twenty eight days in total from his departure in Lanzarote to the arrival and emotional return to Cane Garden Bay where he will revisit the place of his accident that paralysed him 25 years ago.

This is the fourth time Geoff has sailed the Atlantic, but the first since his life changing accident in 1984 which left him paralysed from the chest down.

Geoff and Impossible Dream successfully arrive in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola British Virgin Islands, thus completing his Personal Atlantic voyage. BBC Radio and News making contact with Geoff for arrival interviews as Geoff is reunited with his family.

Marc Guillemot Took 3rd Place

Marc Guillemot (Safran) crossed the Les Sables d'Olonne finish line at 01h21min36sec GMT on Sunday to clinch a hard won third place in this epic sixth edition of the Vendee Globe solo non stop around the world race.

Guillemot managed to wrest third from Sam Davies, GBR, (Roxy) by a net 1 hour and 19 minutes and 25 seconds. Guillemot received a time compensation of 82 hours for diverting from his course to assist in the evacuation of injured Yann Elies 800 miles south of Australia in the Southern Ocean.

Samantha Davies, GBR, (Roxy) crossed the finishing line at 00hrs 41mins 01 secs as the third competitor to complete this epic sixth edition of the Vendée Globe solo non stop around the world race and return to Les Sables d'Olonne. Ironically Davies had to wait two days and two hours (50 hours) to see whether she hang on to third place in this sixth Vendée Globe as the final result depended on Marc Guillemot's finishing time.

British yachtswoman Dee Caffari, 36, onboard Aviva celebrates as she sets a new world record as the first woman to have successfully completed a solo, non-stop circumnavigation both ways around the world. She managed to complete the voyage even after sail delamination caused two huge holes in her main sail. The jubilant solo skipper and former PE teacher crossed the Vendee Globe finish line after 98 days at sea. She has been sponsored by the world's fifth largest insurance group Aviva since her first world record voyage in 2005/06. She started her current race, the Vendee Globe on 9 November 2008 from Les Sables d'Olonne, France.

Vendee Globe

Marc Guillemot announced this morning that there was some serious damage to Safran, concerning her keel after he noticed that it was loose in its box and had slid down a few centimetres.

Late this morning, Marc Guillemot called his shore team to inform that he had lost the keel.

Marc Guillemot has filled the ballast tanks on his monohull to lower at the most the centre of gravity and is sailing under small jib with three reefs in the mainsail.

The boat is now configured to sail without a keel and is continuing to Les Sables d’Olonne at reduced speed. By the end of the week, the weather should improve with essentially downwind sailing.

Brit Air Finished 2nd

Continuing rough conditions across the Bay of Biscay have made this a long and stressful final week at sea for Armel Le Cleac'h on Brit Air. With winds averaging 35 knots (gusting to 45 in squalls) and 5 to 6 metre high waves on the beam, Armel le Cleac'h has chosen to sail cautiously towards the French coast, and the finish. Battling it out for third place on the water, Sam Davies, GBR (Roxy) and Marc Guillemot are also looking forward to finishing. For the moment, the advantage seems to be tipping back in favour of the French skipper, who has managed to get around the Azores high via the west. Sailing downwind in a 25-knot southwesterly wind, the VPLP-Verdier designed Safran was sailing at 15 knots boat speed, while Roxy was still tacking upwind close to the high-pressure area in fading winds.

After the cool, calm delivery of Michel Desjoyeaux just over five and a half days ago to win his second Vendée Globe, Les Sables d’Olonne welcomed the rookie with a bite, Armel Le Cléac’h, who brought Brit Air across the finish line at 08:41 hrs GMT Saturday February 7 morning under perfect blue winter skies and a watery sunshine, to finish in a well deserved and highly creditable second place. A skipper just 31 years old, whose patience and prudence masks an innate predatory instinct and timing, which has seen him regularly succeed as runner up after other favourites have fallen, but he still admitted today that his mother worried if he had been eating enough.

Jourdain Quits

After 84 days of racing, in second place since December 16th , Roland Jourdain took the hard decision this morning to bring his Vendee Globe to an end and stop at the Azores. After losing part of his keel last Thursday, the skipper of Veolia Environnement has done all he can to ensure the stability of his boat and his own safety in some very difficult sea conditions.

Michel Desjoyeaux Wins

Sailing a course distance of 28303 miles, averaging 14.02 knots, French solo skipper Michel Desjoyeaux has shattered the Vendee Globe solo round the world race record today on his way to becoming the first solo skipper ever to win the solo non stop around the world race twice.

After winning the race in 2000-01 on PRB, eclipsing the young emerging British skipper Ellen MacArthur by 1 day 28 minutes, Desjoyeaux joined the 30 strong field for this race, the biggest entry ever round the world race in sailing history, as one of the clear favourites.

Desjoyeaux crossed the finish on Sunday 1st February at 15:11.08 GMT , after 84 days 03 hours 09 minutes of racing. Foncia completed the race in twenty knots of breeze under sunny skies, greeted by a massive armada of spectator boats before being warmly welcomed by huge crowds who gathered along the waterfront and harbour area of Les Sables d'Olonne, where the race departed at 1202 GMT November 9th 2008.

The gruelling race has taken a high toll of the 30 skippers who started the non stop solo round the world race. As Desjoyeaux finished this afternoon, nine are climbing northwards in the Atlantic ocean while some 7,700 miles behind two are expected to pass Cape Horn and leave the Pacific tomorrow. Eighteen skippers have been forced to abandon. In early December Yann Elis had to be evacuated off his Generali when he sustained a broken femur while working on the bow of his boat, and Jean Le Cam was rescued when he capsized off Cape Horn by Vincent Riou, the 2004-5 winner of the race.

Storm Ahead Vendee Fleet

Whilst to the east of Rio de Janeiro the leading duo are still making relatively slow progress as they struggle to escape into more solid breeze, what Meteo France have described as the worst storm of this Vendee Globe awaits the trio of Brian Thompson, Dee Caffari and Arnaud Boissieres as they pass Cape Horn.

Marc Guillemot (Safran) stopped at the Falklands Islands at 1000hrs this morning to work on his mast track. British Yachtswoman Dee Caffari, onboard Aviva, has endured further damage to her mainsail following a battering by a 65 knot storm in the southern ocean. The solo skipper had already repaired a number of tears to her mainsail, but knew as she approached the notorious Cape Horn in a vicious storm it may lead to more damage.

A temporary decrease in wind strength will help Dee Caffari round the Cape in the next 36 hours and prepare for the next storm looming on the weather forecast. She will continue to conserve the mainsail as much as possible before attempting the repairs around the Falkland Islands.

Vendee Globe

Two months after setting sail from Les Sables d'Olonne, Roland Jourdain is currently in second place and was 178 miles from Michel Desjoyeaux.

Roland Jourdain's Veolia Environnement team have just reported that he believes he hit a sea mammal early yesterday evening while racing some 800 miles off the Argentine coast.

The collision with this mammal led to several cracks which forced Roland Jourdain to continue under reduced sail in order to effect repairs at sea.

After inspecting his boat, the keel and bulb do not seem to have been affected, but he found several cracks around the keel box and in the compartment at the foot of the mast bulkhead. Roland Jourdain informed his shore team and the Vende Globe Race Directors this afternoon at 16h30.

After talks with the Lombard design team and the CDK yard, Jourdain assesed the situation and set about making repairs, which he is currently setting up with the materials he has on board under reduced sail. The smooth sea and the light winds in the high are offering favourable conditions.

Half the Fleet Still Fights

At 1920 GMT, only a matter of an hour and 20 minutes since passing Cape Horn, Vincent Riou called his team to report that PRB has been dismasted. When the call was made PRB was in a position about 7.8 miles to the North West of Cape Horn. Both skippers Riou and Le Cam are safe and well. He called back to his team about an hour later, saying that he did not want to issue a Mayday signal, but was trying to locate a suitable vessel to tow them, perhaps through the contacts of Isabelle Autissier. They believe that the temporary lashing which they had made to the chainplate gave way. They had around 25 knots of NW'ly wind when the rig came down but have a limited chance of setting a jury rig while they are in the islands. Riou and Le Cam acted quickly to cut away the rigging and free the broken mast. Since they cut the mast free PRB is reported to be drifting at 1.5 knots to a course of about 25 degrees, effectively away from the islands.

A PAN PAN call was made, a simple request to any available assistance, as opposed to the obligations of a Mayday. Vendee Globe Race Direction have been in contact with the Chilean authorities. The 32.7 m general purpose vessel Alacalufe of the Chilean Navy has been dispatched from Port Williams, 55 miles away.

Meantime at the front of the fleet, Michel Desjoyeaux is significantly quicker than his nearest rival, second placed Roland Jourdain.

1. Michel Desjoyeaux, Foncia, 6312.5 miles to finish
2. Roland Jourdain, Veolia Environnement, + 108.9 miles to leader
3. Armel Le Cleac'h, Brit Air, + 659.7 miles
4. Vincent Riou, PRB, + 742.5 miles
5. Sam Davies, GBR, ROXY, + 1860.4 miles

Vendee Globe

Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) is holding on to his lead, steady at around 65 miles over second-placed Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environment), but extending slightly away from the rest of those hanging on to his coat tails as the leading four pick up some more northerly pressure. As he lead across into the ocean which he remarked recently that he has always found more conducive to higher speeds, he has nearly doubled his lead since yesterday afternoon and now has just over 80 miles ahead of Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement), while Seb Josse (BT) in third has lost a little against the pace of Mich Desjoyeaux. Jean Le Cam in fourth (VM Matériaux) is valiantly keeping up.

Yann Elies' spirits and mood have lifted knowing help is with him and on its way His medical condition is stable. Marc Guillemot has attempted several times to throw water, food and medication down the companionway hatch to his stricken fellow skipper, but it has so far proven too difficult for Yann to grab them. Yann Elies, the skipper of Generali who broke his left femur on December 18, was successfully transferred to the Australian Navy's HMAS Arunta, an Anzac Class Frigate.

Vendee Globe Fleet in Problems

Cheminées Poujoulat entered Morbihan Bay in 40-45 knot winds on Sunday evening. In spite of the help that was given to him, Bernard Stamm was unable to moor up where a buoy had been set up for him while using his engine, the assistance of a RIB and the help of Dominique Wavre on board. Very quickly a series of events led to the 60-foot Imoca boat being driven ashore. The skipper was taken off safe and sound.

Vendée Globe leader Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac 2) reported early this afternoon that he had suffered a high speed collision with a floating object and badly damaged the mechanism at the head of his rudder.

The Nicois skipper has been forced to slow, deep reefing his mainsail to keep Paprec-Virbac flatter to maintain steerage with his port rudder as he climbs to pass the West Australian ice-security gate.

He insisted this evening’s during a live radio broadcast that he will fight on and try to affect a repair which he said will not be at easy.

Vendee Globe Update

Passing Heard Island it is Jean-Pierre Dick (Paprec-Virbac II) who remains clear leader of the Vendée Globe, chosing a more southerly course through the channel between the Kerguelen islands archipelago and Heard Island. Gaining 8.5 miles on those in pursuit of him, Dick has been marginally quicker overnight than Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) who is still locked in battle royal with Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) and Mike Golding, GBR, (Ecover 3). After a high speed, difficult overnight passage in confused, big seas and gusty winds of 35 knots there is still just 3.6 miles of difference between Desjoyeaux, third placed Jourdain, Mike Golding in fourth. In turn a gap from fourth to fifth placed Seb Josse (BT) of 36.8 miles is opened.

Peyron Out

Shortly after 1400 hours on Wednesday, Loick Peyron informed his shore crew about Gitana Eighty's dismasting. Barely three hours later, battling with what remained of the spar to manufacture a jury rig, the skipper of the monohull equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, went over this fateful incident during a special radio session. It is worth pointing out that Loick Peyron climbed to the top of the mast no later than yesterday and was able to perform a thorough and satisfactory check of the rig at that time.

Vendee Globe

Gitana Eighty has lost 11.4 miles to Seb Josse (BT), 17 miles behind he was still making two knots faster as the 1000hrs GMT poll arrived and speeds of those chasing and to his east have so far remained stable. To the west Mike Golding has just experienced a spell of lighter winds and hard work to keep the speeds up. Some skippers admit that they prefer to be a bit further back, although not too far, of course, in order to observe before making their move. The weather situation in the southern Atlantic,is complicated and confused. At the end of November, the zone of high pressure has settled in for the duration and is likely to force the leaders to adopt a route taking them away from the shortest course.

Positions on Tuesday 25th November
1. Gitana Eighty (Loick Peyron) 20,263 DTF
2. BT (Sebastien Josse) 13 miles from the leader
3. Brit Air (Armel Le Cleac'h) 43.7 miles
4. Paprec Virbac (Jean-Pierre Dick) 45.7 miles
5. PRB (Vincent Riou) 52.1 miles

Eight Retired from Vendee

It may have been a tough, physical first night for the 30 skippers who started the Vendée Globe in Les Sables d’Olonne yesterday but a malicious cold front is forecast to hit them during this afternoon and into tonight which will give them a severe test as they try to escape November's grim clutches in the Bay of Biscay.

While Marc Guillemot on Safran has held his lead, his decision to tack to the south while the fleet seeks to maximise their westing gives him the edge, but the leading boats show very little speed difference. Mike Golding’s decision to follow Guillemot with two tacks last night seems to have paid off, the British skipper on Ecover has made up ten places from last night’s rankings and is now lying 13th and sitting between Guillemot and the main pack.

The tally of skippers forced to head back to Les Sables d'Olonne since the start has risen to eight following the news that Kito de Pavant's Groupe Bel as well as Yannick Bestaven on Aquarelle.com have both been dismasted. Derek Hatfield on Algimouss Spirit of Canada is returning with electrical problems. Hugo Boss returning after suffering structural damage. Alex Thomson's Hugo Boss has structural damage to the hull of his Open 60 and is returning towards Les Sables d'Olonne. While around 200 nautical miles from Les Sables d'Olonne, Michel Desjoyeaux - the skipper of FONCIA - informed his team that he had decided to turn back to port. A small leak in one of the ballast tanks caused an electrical problem making it impossible to start the engine to recharge his batteries.

Vendee Globe Started

The sixth edition of the Vendée Globe got underway at 13h02 today (Sunday), on a gloomy day of variable south-westerly breezes with confused choppy seas inshore and a heavier swell out at sea. But the overcast conditions couldn’t dampen the atmosphere, with hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the sea walls and clambering onto precarious vantage points to give the 30 skippers the famous Les Sables d’Olonne send-off. After emotional farewells on the pontoons, the sailors were treated to a crescendo of applause, cheering, horn-blaring and flag-waving from the crowds as they made their way out to sea.

It’s been a tough first night in the sixth Vendée Globe, with the fleet facing headwinds of 20-30 knots and 4-6 metre seas, and two boats already returning to port — Dominque Wavre on Temenos returned soon after the start with electrical problems, but was able to fix them and rejoin the race shortly after 11pm, whilst Bernard Stamm has also been forced to turn back after a collision with a fishing boat damaged his bowsprit.

This morning’s position update shows Marc Guillemot (Safran) still the leader. Most of the fleet are heading directly west as fast as possible, except three — leader Guillemot, and British contenders Mike Golding (Ecover) and Sam Davies (Roxy), who have each put in two tacks to stay on a more direct south-westerly course.

Vendee Globe All Ready

Everything is ready for the Vendee Globe that starts this Sunday. Mike Golding is the only skipper of the magnificent seven to have finished twice, third in 2005.Alex Thomson started in 2004 and had to retire. Of the seven boats, no fewer than five of the 18 new builds are new for this Vendée Globe cycle: ECOVER 3, AVIVA, Artemis, Bahrain Team Pindar, and Hugo Boss, not including the British owned BT.

Vendee Globe 2008/09

Two of Britain's most famous solo skippers, Mike Golding and Dee Caffari, move into the next stage of their ground-breaking technical alliance to develop the fastest Open 60 possible ahead of this year's gruelling solo round the world yacht race, the Vendee Globe 2008/09. Caffari and Golding, who between them have circumnavigated the global on eight different occasions, have developed an intensive testing programme to find a competitive advantage over the 30-strong Vendee Globe fleet and in particular the impressive French contingent. The two skippers announced the technical alliance, the first of its kind between British Open 60 teams, in March 2007. The alliance led to the construction of two identical sister-ships in Aviva and Ecover 3 and this summer Caffari and Golding will be testing the two boats against each other to maximise performance. The Aviva Ocean Racing and Ecover teams are taking a leaf out of Formula 1's book and believe in the merits of testing against similar machines. The upcoming period of two-boat testing will set the two Open 60s against each other much like the way F1 teams do with their two cars. One of the boats will be set as a control whilst the other makes changes to the sail trim, ballast and keel angle to determine the most effective set up. The ultimate aim is to find the optimum performance that will give the skippers an edge to challenge the French dominance of the Vendee Globe race. To date each of the five editions has been won by a French skipper.

La Solitaire du Figaro

Fifty sailors will set off from La Rochelle tomorrow at 13:00 on the first of three legs of La Solitaire du Figaro, they key event of the Figaro solo sailing calendar.

The 2008 edition will cover 1,880 miles over three legs: La Rochelle to Vigo in Galicia, then a return leg to Cherbourg in France before the final marathon leg of 826 miles (the longest leg in the 39 year history of the race) to L’Aber W’rach on the northern tip of Brittany, by way of the Isle of Man in the north Irish Sea.

Race Director, Jacques Caraës has formulated a course that is long, tactical and testing in offshore sailing skills. The one-design Figaro Beneteau boat is enjoying continued success and the following of the solo sailors. For the highlight event of the season, 11 rookie sailors join the competition together with four highly experienced women sailors, another record in the race history. Jeanne Gregoire on Banque Populaire and Liz Wardley on Sojasun will be joined by two new aspiring Figarists, Elodie Riou (KPMG) and Isabelle Joschke (Synergy), both successful Mini sailors.

The growing international following the event is currently enjoying is reflected in the arrival some new faces on the circuit. There are five non-French sailors in all.

Velux Leg 3 Starts on Wednesday

Having reviewed all the latest weather models, and following regular consultation with the skippers and their teams, Race Director David Adams today set a new start date and time for the final leg of the Velux 5 Oceans. Leg three to Bilbao (Basque Country) is now scheduled to commence at 10:00 AM local time (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday April 18.

The noreaster storm which has been savagely battering the whole of the Eastern seaboard of the United States since Sunday is expected to intensify overnight into Tuesday before beginning to weaken through the day tomorrow. Race organisers and the sailors felt that a start on Wednesday morning offers the best solution to guarantee the safety of the fleet and allow the competitors to get away as soon as possible from Norfolk, Virginia (USA).

However, the start is still expected to take place in a strong northerly wind with large seas, and event organisers in Norfolk are therefore advising spectators not to go out on the water to watch the yachts depart for Europe. With the start gun set to fire at 10 AM, the boats will leave their home in downtown Norfolk in the early hours of the morning before heading up the Elizabeth River to the line, which will be positioned in open water off the Virginian coast.

The postponed start has also played into the hands of Graham Dalton, who is now less than 1,000 miles from the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. The Kiwi skipper is expected to arrive here Friday, within race rules, and set off for Bilbao after a required 72 hour stop over.