Dominique Wavre presents Vendee Globe project in Geneva

by Bernard Schopfer on 14 Sep 2012 Vendee Globe 2012 gets underway on 10th November. Dominique Wavre, skipper of yacht Mirabaud, will cross the start line to race non-stop around the world alone and without outside assistance. The Swiss skipper feels things are falling into place for him to achieve the best possible result.

On Thursday morning, Dominique Wavre presented his Vendee Globe project in Geneva. The single-handed round the world race is without stops or outside assistance. This will be the Swiss offshore sailor’s fourth entry in this legendary race; he will also take the start of his tenth circumnavigation, which will set a new record.

'I have been preparing for this challenge since the start of the year,' described Dominique. 'The Vendee Globe is a very special event for me; it is the most demanding and complex competition that exists because it requires infallible technical preparation, but also physical fitness and moral and psychological strength like no other race.'

The yacht Mirabaud has been thoroughly checked ahead of the Vendee Globe, it has also been converted to single-handed sailing with a new spray dodger that will protect the skipper from the elements and means he can trim the boat in relative comfort. The new mast has been fully tested and Dominique Wavre has sailed 5,000 kilometres this summer practicing his boat handling so that sail changes and tacking or gybing are second nature and cost no time on the clock.

'Our preparations have gone as planned and I am feeling comfortable with our current status,' said Dominique. 'I will be ready for the start on the 10 November and I feel that everything will come together for me to achieve the best possible result.'

Michele Paret, who is managing Dominique Wavre’s pre-race preparations said: 'The Mirabaud technical team has worked hard over the last eight months to get Dominique to the Vendee Globe start line in the best possible conditions. Dominique has also been heavily involved in preparations and he knows his boat like the back of his hand, which is a vital requirement for such a race.'

Antonio Palma, Mirabaud partner and CEO, has followed Dominique Wavre and Michele Paret’s progress closely in previous competitions and he is as enthusiastic about the Vendee Globe. 'It is the most demanding competition in the world and that is why Mirabaud has chosen to support Dominique Wavre in this challenge. A competitor needs to be serious and meticulous to compete, but also brave and very tactical. This race is a giant global chess game. I know that Dominique has done everything in his power to be the best prepared, I admire him greatly and wish him fair winds.'

Vincent Hagin, the President of Swiss Sailing was also present in Geneva to lend Dominique his support. 'Dominique Wavre is an incredible example for young Swiss sailors; his career and his palmarès are remarkable and the level of precision that he brings to his offshore preparations is inspiring. Swiss Sailing is not directly involved in offshore racing, but has a 'foot in the sea' through the Cruising Club Switzerland.'

The 2012 Vendee Globe starts on 10 November in the Sables d’Olonne, France. The current record is 84 days, three hours, nine minutes and eight Dominique Wavre Vendée Globe website