All the Vendée Globe skippers have arrived in Les Sables d’Olonne

Now, it's time for three weeks of village activities, sharing and celebrating before start day which is of course Sunday November 10.

Seven o'clock in the morning, this Friday, on the pontoons of Port Olona was a bit special, because in 22 days time in this very place everything feel so  special. It will be time for that last wake-up, the last stresses, the last sunrise on land and the whole series of 'goodbyes'. But for the skippers, it still seems a long way off and everyone is set to enjoy the time as the clock ticks down.

The pontoon was already quite full - a number of the skippers arrived the day before - and it is now a lot busier. The lack of wind and the smooth seas made manoeuvres in the port much easier, even if "it's not easy to go up the channel at night", according to Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkéa). The members of the race management were out on the water to guide the sailors in, helping them with the delicate manoeuvres to dock the boats. 

Smiles break out as the realisation that everything is done, Phase 1 is complete. "We've had our heads down for months, it's definitely something to be here," appreciates Paul Meilhat (Biotherm). That is an observation shared by Romain Attanasio (Fortinet-Best Western) who had to fight to be here after dismasting in September. "It's true that it wasn't easy," he confides, "Usually, you start to stress when you arrive. This time, it started a few weeks ago.

The moon is still visible through the shrouds even though day is breaking. It's 8 o'clock, Maxime Sorel (V andB - Monbana - Mayenne) arrives in turn. The native of Saint-Malo says "going up the channel reminded me of what I felt on January 30, 2021 (the day of his arrival), the strong emotion of being here after having sailed around the world." Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prévoyance) is also smiling. He enjoys being stationedat the very end of the quay, "we're peaceful out here." "Of course I'm happy to be here," he confides. “We've been working on this boat for three years. Being here is a great reward for the whole team." 

There is also satisfaction in the voice of Violette Dorange (Devenir): "I was able to enjoy the delivery and the arrival at the port with loved ones." The 23-year-old sailor remarks "being here is already a first victory." The atmosphere is a gift: calm, the sunrise and the freshness of autumn. A little further on, Yann Eliès, who has won two Vendée Globes and is the substitute skipper of Paprec Arkéa, knows how important the simplicity of this morning is. “It’s a nice day for the teams and the skippers,” he confides. “You arrive, you get your bearings, you take advantage of the fact that the pontoons aren’t crowded yet.” A welcome moment after all the work that’s been done. “They’ve been working for a few years but they all feel like they’ve been preparing for this Vendée Globe for ten years,” assures Yann, thinking of the members of each team. It has been a great day of sunshine with some welcome calm before diving into the excitement of build up in the village.