Last two competitors in Vendee Globe due to finish this weekend

by Vendee Globe media on 12 Mar 2009
In the Vendee Globe, Raphael Dinelli (Fondation Océan Vital) and Norbert Sedlacek, AUT, (Nauticsport-Kapsch) continue to return good average speeds and they head for the finish which they are expected to reach this weekend.

Dinelli, who will be the only skipper to successfully complete this Vendée Globe as well as the last one, has been making more than nine knots and had less than 370 miles to the finish, while Sedlacek who is on course to become the first Austrian to sail solo non stop around the world, is making over 10 knots still and sailed more than 250 miles over the last 24 hours. Norbert had 771 miles to sail to Les Sables d’Olonne and said he expects to be in on Sunday.

Latest ETAs -

Raphaël Dinelli is expected in Les Sables d'Olonne on Saturday.
Norbert Sedlacek is due to cross the finish line on Sunday or Monday.

In other news:

Steve White is back in England after completing his Vendée Globe on 26th February. For the delivery trip on Toe in the Water he was accompanied by one of the soldiers benefiting from the services of the charity, Toe in the Water, which helps wounded servicemen. Steve was welcomed back to Gosport by Dee Caffari, Brian Thompson and Alex Thomson, who understand just how much of a personal achievement this was for Steve, whose budget was so much smaller than theirs. For White, it is great o be back in England, but 'the work isn't over yet. In fact it's just beginning. As I get planning for the next Vendee Globe in 2012 our thoughts will turn to securing sponsors and building a new boat.'

Two months of work on Safran

Work on Safran is due to be completed in late April. She is undergoing what is described as an 'ordinary refit', apart from the repairs concerning the keel and mast. Her first keel was sent to a specialist company in Italy, where it will be fitted with a new head. Meanwhile, a new bulb is being built in Spain. It will all be put together in the Larros boat yard and is due to be delivered in late April. As for the repairs to the mast following the damage to the mainsail track, the whole surface was consolidated using composites and strengthened around the reefing points. The repairs to the mast will be carried out in France. The boat is undergoing a thorough check-up with everything being taken apart and examined, and if necessary replaced. To finish, the team will be giving the hull a coat of paint, which is going to take some time, as there is a huge surface to sand down. The goal is to finish by the end of April, after a refit lasting two months.

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