The Bunker

Earlier today, 20 skippers set sail from France in the 5th Vendée Globe, a single-handed race around the world. Less than half of all competitors finish the race and 2 have died trying. The rules are "no stopover" and "no assistance".

Without stopovers! During his incredible adventure in New Zealand in the Vendée Globe 2000-01, Yves Parlier demonstrated that it was possible, in a particular way, to make a stopover. In reality, the skippers don’t have the right to tie up to a buoy, to another boat or along a quay, but may drop anchor in a bay to make repairs. Roland Jourdain did just that after Cape Horn, in the archipelago of Wollaston, to repair a broken mast track. In New Zealand, Yves Parlier went to the limit of the ruling by disembarking onto land, but at low tide, and without exceeding the limits of high tide. In this way he never made any physical contact with people or exterior infrastructure. Without assistance! No physical aid, no material from outside, no extra food is authorised after the start, unless they return to Les Sables d’Olonne.

The last winner and runner-up have decided not to compete so it could be anyone's race.