"The start is always incredibly moving," said Welsh sailor Alex Thomson, taking part in his fourth Vendee Globe. "Keith Mills (the British multi-millionaire backer) told me that he's experienced an Olympics opening ceremony, a Champions League final but never, never, has he seen anything like the start of Vendee Globe." Only 71 sailors out of 138 have managed to finish the race which has taken place every four years since 1989. Titouan Lamazou, the first winner, finished his circumnavigation in 109 days, 8 hours and 47 minutes. Francois Gabart, who won in 2013, took only 78 days, 2 hours and 16 minutes.

Source: Bangkok Post November 06, 2016 02:26 UTC