The 2012-2013 Vendée Globe presented in London

The 2012-2013 Vendée Globe is presented in London

The 2012-2013 Vendée Globe presented in London

By Vendee Globe media on 10 Nov 201110 November 2011

The 2012-2013 Vendée Globe is presented in London

All photos © Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com

Six British skippers, who would like to take part in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe, attended a meeting organised by the Vendée Globe in London on Thursday 10th November. Dee Caffari, Brian Thompson, Steve White, Oscar Mead, Phil Sharp and the Scottish sailor John MacKay would like to take part in this most demanding solo ocean racing event, as it offers the guarantee of a good return on investment for sponsors. This meeting in London was held in the presence of Sir Robin Knox Johnston, the famous winner of the 1968-1969 Golden Globe.

The Vendée Globe, the prestigious non-stop solo race around the world was in London on Thursday to show how much it would like to see British skippers in the 2012-2013 race, which is due to start from Les Sables d’Olonne on Saturday 10th November 2012. “Britain, which will host the Olympics next summer, has a huge influence in Olympic sailing, but it should also aim to be up there on the podium of the Vendée Globe,” declared Denis Horeau, the Race Director, when he presented the non-stop solo round the world race to the British media.

The British sailors, Mike Golding (Gamesa) and Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) have already announced they will be taking part, but several other British competitors would also like to be there at the start of the 7th Vendée Globe, such as Dee Caffari, Samantha Davies, Steve White, Brian Thompson, Oscar Mead, Phil Sharp and the Scottish sailor, John MacKay, as they also wish to be part of the British contingent.

Good figures from the Vendée Globe

Considered to be the most demanding race in the world of sailing, the Vendée Globe is also one of the most profitable events for sponsors, with a high return on investment. This aspect was confirmed by several companies, who gave their name to teams in recent editions of the race.

According to figures from the organisers of the Vendée Globe, media coverage has grown considerably: +69% for TV coverage with 466 hours of reports, +58% for Internet with 59 million single visitors. Total media coverage corresponds to an advertising investment of 145 million euros.

For 2012-2013, the forecasts for media coverage are 30-50% higher for the sponsors as between 15 and 20 competitors are expected at the start in 2012, as opposed to 30 in the last race.