The impressive scale of the record-sized fleet of IMOCA 60 yachts which will take the start line of the ninth edition of the Vendée Globe solo race round the world on Sunday, November 8th was obvious today in Les Sables d’Olonne, France when Yves Auvinet, President de la SAEM Vendée and the Département de la Vendée officially opened the 'Start Village'.
Unfortunately, there are no Irish competitors this edition despite various efforts over the last four years but as WM Nixon reports today, Marcus Hutchinson, who was much involved in recent days with the Magenta Project Female Two-Handed Round Ireland Record, will be right in the thick of things in Les Sables d’Olonne.