All thirty of the skippers taking part in this year's Vendée Globe race lined up in Paris today as Phillipe de Villiers, the President of the race, highlighted what an exceptional event it will be.

In total, the 30 skippers taking part in this sixth Vendée Globe have sailed no fewer than 32 round the world voyages and 21 Vendée Globes. There is such a surfeit of talent that the race looks to be an incredibly exciting one to watch. As the event website says, "More than ever before in the history of the Vendée Globe, it will be the quality of the sailor, his experience, talent, and no doubt a bit of luck that will make all the difference."

The race starts on 9th November. Visit the Vendée Globe site< to keep up with the skippers' preparations.
Yachting Monthly, 16 September 2008