Vendée Globe, Everest of the seas, gets underway

The sixth Vendée Globe race got underway today with a fleet of 30 boats setting sail from Les Sables d'Olonnes in France.  The goal is simple - to sail solo around the world, without stopping, as fast as possible.

 Known as the Everest of the Seas, the Vendée Globe is the ultimate challenge against the elements, a 3-month battle against the wildest seas on the planet.  It's cold, wet and unimaginably dangerous, with two sailors having lost their lives in previous races.  Only half the fleet likely to complete the 30,000-mile course and make it all the way back to the finish line.

Seven Britons are competing this year, many of them my fellow ambassadors of The Cordon Rouge Club.  They are Mike Golding, Dee Caffari, Alex Thomson, Brian Thompson, Sam Davies, Jonny Malbon and Steve White.  They have my every respect and I'll be rooting for them all.

The Vendée Globe website is excellent, and updated regularly with videos, photos, news and current race standings.  Good luck guys!