All news

Difficult weather conditions for Biotherm's finish, expected on the line at 1000hrs UTC

Since yesterday, the conditions have been windy on the Vendee coast and near Les Sables d'Olonne. Between 22 and 25 knots of wind, gusts of around 30 knots and waves of 2.5 to 3 metres are expected. So when Paul Meilhat (Biotherm) crosses the finish line this morning it will acutally the 'storm line' which is a virtual line slightly further offshore which is designed to give the skipper and shore team more sea room to manoeuvre.

For safety reasons, no image production boat will be able to go on the water to cross the line.

According to the latest forecasts Meillhat should arrive at the finish line around 1000hrs which will allow him to enter the channel immediately afterwards (around noon). Heading for sixth place Nicolas Lunven (Holcim-PRB) is expected tonight Friday to Saturday and again the conditions will also be complicated.

Skippers linked to this article

Paul Meilhat

Biotherm
Paul Meilhat

Share this article

Latest news

Flash

Nicolas Lunven is expected to arrive from 0900PM hrs UTC

LES SABLES D'OLONNE, FRANCE - JANUARY 24, 2025 : Biotherm skipper Paul Meilhat (FRA) is photographed in the channel after taking 5th place in the Vendee Globe, on January 24, 2025 in Les Sables d'Olonne, France - (Photo by Lloyd Images / Alea)

Paul Meilhat, 5th in the 2024 Vendée Globe

This Friday at 10h40 UTC, after 74 days, 22 hours and 38 minutes of racing Paul Meilhat crossed the finish line in Les Sables d'Olonne to take fifth place on this 10th edition of the Vendée Globe. For the 42 year old the result underlines the remarkable tenacity and talent which he showed on the…
Flash

Vendée Live : Join us at 1h30 PM (UTC) on the news and media page, Youtube or Facebook to follow Vendée Live with Pip Hare and Christopher Pratt

RACE, JANUARY 23, 2025 : Photo sent from the boat TeamWork - Team Snef during the Vendee Globe sailing race on January 23, 2025 - (Photo by skipper Justine Mettraux)

Hanging on when it feels harder than ever

After two and a half months at sea on the Vendée Globe very few skippers are still enjoying their sailing, even less so those who are close to the finish. Increasingly complex weather stands between them and the finish line and their biggest challenge is just hanging in there, keeping the boat and…
LES SABLES D'OLONNE, FRANCE - JANUARY 24, 2025 : Charal skipper Jérémie Beyou (FRA) is photographed crossing the line to take 4th place in the Vendee Globe, on January 24, 2025 in Les Sables d'Olonne, France - (Photo by Anne Beauge / Alea)

Jérémie Beyou, 4th in the Vendée Globe

Emerging relieved and happy out of a dark, windy night off Les Sables d’Olonne, Jérémie Beyou crossed the finish line of his fifth Vendée Globe this morning at 00:58 (UTC) to take fourth place from the record fleet of 40 starters. The elapsed time for the 48 year old skipper of Charal is 74 days,…
RACE, JANUARY 23, 2025 : Photo sent from the boat Biotherm during the Vendee Globe sailing race on January 23, 2025. (Photo by skipper Paul Meilhat)

Mean Biscay lives up to its reputation

Nearly one week since the Vendée Globe podium was completed by Sébastien Simon, Jérémie Beyou will lead a surge of exhausted but relieved and grateful skippers through the finish line. The skipper of Charal is well set for fourth place, due to cross the line tonight between midnight and 0200hrs UTC…
RACE, JANUARY 23, 2025 : Photo sent from the boat D’Ieteren Group during the Vendee Globe sailing race on January 23, 2025. (Photo by skipper Denis Van Weynbergh)

Beyou should finish fourth tonight

Having rounded Cape Finisterre – passing inside the TSS – Jérémie Beyou is now reaching in a light N’ly breeze with just over 300 miles to the finish where he should secure fourth place overall. But it is a complex passage across Biscay which now has a high pressure ridge protecting it bringing…
RACE, JANUARY 21, 2024 : Photo sent from the boat FOUSSIER during the Vendee Globe sailing race on January 21, 2024. (Photo by skipper Sébastien Marsset)

Little wins and false summits

Brit Sam Goodchild was celebrating a small victory this morning as he hoisted his freshly repaired mainsail which split in half two days ago. After working tirelessly since the accident, sticking the halves together in big waves and strong winds, the skipper of VULNERABLE, tentatively hoisted the…