The regatists participating in the 8 Vendée Globe in the Paris. © Vendée Globe / DPPI / Olivier BLANCHET

With a massive press conference, the Vendée Globe 2016-2017 was presented today in Paris. The stage has been the old building of the Paris Stock Exchange (the Brongniart Palace) and has had the presence of the 29 patterns that will compete in this edition, including a single Spanish: Didac Costa, the fourth in the history of the race since its birth more than 30 years ago. The participants, the internationalization of the race, the press coverage, the tour, the official village. In front of a large number of journalists, Yves Auvinet, President of SAEM Vendée, has presented the main features of the eighth edition of the solo and non-stop world return that will begin in Les Sables d'Olonne (France) at 13: 02 hours on 6 November, with the gunshot that will run in charge of Prince Albert of Monaco. The next important quote of the calendar is on October 15, when the official opening of the village of the Vendée Globe is held in Les Sables d'Olonne.

An exceptional line of output

29 patterns have so far completed the administrative, sports and technical requirements to be able to participate in the Everest of the ocean sail. Comparative figures: in the last edition, four years ago, there were 20 sailors who left Les Sables d'Olonne, so the number of participants has increased by almost 50%.

The eighth Vendée Globe brings together patterns with a wide range of ambitions and different origins and experience. 14 compete for the first time in the test while 15 return to the starting line (see list of entries below).

Five competitors enter the select group of sailors who have participated up to four times. A single previous winner (Vincent Riou) and four other well-known names of the race: Bertrand de Broc, Jean-Pierre Dick, Jean Le Cam and Alex Thomson. The last two already know what it is to be on the podium, as does Armel Le Cléac'h (2016 is their third attempt).

This edition also includes the youngest competitor in the history of the race (Swiss Alan Roura, 23) and the largest (American Rich Wilson, 66).

On the other hand, the 2016-2017 edition is marked by the arrival of a very discussed technological innovation that appears for the first time in the Vendée Globe. Seven patterns will release on board an IMOCA 60 with foils, appendices that raise the ship by reducing the roasting and encouraging the performance of the ship. Six patterns (Jean-Pierre Dick, Pieter Heerema, Sébastien Josse, Morgan Lagrière, Armel Le Cléac'h and Alex Thomson) will sail with foils while Jérémie Beyou competes on board a monocasco of a previous generation but has been modified to continue its development. They will compete against these 'foilers' but the patterns that have maintained the traditional prayers will also be serious candidates for victory. "We cannot wait to see this battle between the new generation of ships with 'foils' and the rest of the fleet, which promises to be exciting and it seems that we will see races within the race at all levels," said Yves Auvinet.

STATEMENT

Didac Costa (One Planet One Ocean, ESP):
"The Barcelona World Race (back to the world on two scales that begins and ends in Barcelona) was an extraordinary experience and sailing only around the world is a great challenge for me. In a way, getting on the starting line of this legendary race is already a victory."

Kojiro Shiraishi (Spirit of Yukoh):
"It is an honor for me to be among the patterns of this edition. As the first Asian to compete in the race one of my motivations will be to show the people of my continent how important this event is."

Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss)
"This will be my fourth Vendée Globe, but it's still as hard to know what will happen once we're sailing. From my previous participations I know that we have to be prepared for the unexpected but my goal is clear: I want to win the V
endée Globe. "

Jérémie Beyou (Maître CoQ):
"My team has successfully carried out the challenge of putting foils on a previous generation IMOCA. I got used to this ship in record time, without suffering any damage and winning the New York- Vendée. He should go to the Vendée Globe with great ambitions, but it would not be modest."

Kito de Pavant (Bastide Otio):
"Not having finished the two previous editions of the Vendée Globe was frustrating. I go out with a different project and a different story to tell. I trust I have what it takes to get to the end. I can do it and also do it right"

Armel Le Cléac'h (Banque Populaire VIII):
"Four years ago I wasn't far from winning. We start fresh and the goal this time is clear: win."

Vincent Riou (PRB):
"There are three essential ingredients needed to compete in the Vendée Globe. The first is to have passion, which is what brings us all together here. The second is to be serious, especially in preparing for the race. The third ingredient is that you have to share the experience with your collaborators and sponsors, team and of course, the public."

Participants in the 2016-2017 Vendée Globe

Fourth attempt
- Bertrand de Broc (France - withdrawn in 1992-1993 and 1996-1997, 9th in 2012-2013)
- Jean-Pierre Dick (France - 6th in 2004-2005, retired in 2008-2009, 4th in 2012-2013)
- Jean Le Cam (France - 2nd in 2004-2005, retired in 2008-2009, 5th in 2012-2013
- Vincent Riou (France - winner in 2004-2005, 3rd in 2008-2009, retired in 2012-2013)
- Alex Thomson (United Kingdom - retired in 2004-2005 and 2008-2009, 3rd in 2012-2013)

Third attempt
- Jérémie Beyou (France - retired in 2008-2009 and 2012-2013)
- Arnaud Boissières (France - 7th in 2008-2009 and 8th in 2012-2013)
- Kito de Pavant (France - retired in 2008-2009 and 2012-2013)
- Nandor Fa (Hungary - 5th in 1992- 1993, withdrawn in 1996- 1997)
- Sébastien Josse (France - 5th in 2004-2005, retired in 2008-2009)
- Armel Le Cléac'h (France - 2nd in 2008-2009 and 2nd 2012-2013)

Second attempt
- Louis Burton (France - retired in 2012-2013)
- Tanguy de Lamotte (France - 10th in 2012-2013)
- Yann Eliès (France - withdrawn in 2008-2009)
- Rich Wilson (USA - 10th in 2008-2009)

First attempt
- Fabrice Amedeo (France)
- Romain Attanasio (France)
- Eric Bellion (France)
- Conrad Colman (New Zealand)
- Didac Costa (Spain)
- Sébastien Destremau (France)
- Pieter Heerema (Netherlands)
- Morgan Lagrière (France)
- Stéphane Le Diraison (France)
- Paul Meilhat (France)
- Enda O'Coineen (Ireland)
- Alan Roura (Switzerland)
- Thomas Ruyant (France)
- Kojiro Shiraishi (Japan)

Non-French patterns in the history of the Vendée Globe
1989-1990: 2 patterns of 13 (or 15%) / 3 nationalities
1992-1993: 6 patterns of 14 (or 43%) / 6 nationalities
1996-1997: 5 patterns of 16 (or 31%) / 5 nationalities
2000-2001: 12 patterns of 24 (or 50%) / 7 nationalities
2004-2005: 7 patterns of 20 (or 35%) / 6 nationalities
2008-2009: 13 patterns of 30 (or 43%) / 7 nationalities
2012-2013: 8 patterns of (or 40%) / 6 nationalities
2016-2017: 9 patterns of 30 (or 30%) / 10 nationalities

Key dates
. October 14: Presence of patterns and ships in Les Sables d'Olonne.
. October 15: Official opening of the village in Les Sables d'Olonne.
6 November: Exit from the Vendée Globe at 13: 02 local time
7 November: Opening of the HQ in Paris.