NICK BUBB
Vendee Globe 2012
Solo non-stop around the world
In 2012 Nick intends to realise his long held ambition (since 2000!!) and race the Vendee Globe. He has the experience and ability, it is just the small matter of raising the funds now!
The Vendee Globe is quite rightly known as one of the severest mental and physical challenges any human being can undertake. It’s more than an international sailing event; it’s a sporting phenomenon that pits sailors against the extremes of the environment as well as the extremes of their own mental and physical capability. The 2008 Vendee Globe will mark the fifth time a group of intrepid solo sailors have set off from Les Sable D’ Olonne, France and raced non-stop around the world via the five southern capes. It’s also likely to be the most competitive ever, with two past winners returning with new boats to race head-to-head. Alongside these two will be numerous other top offshore sailors, many of whom are building new boats with the same intent; to capture the most coveted of titles, that of Vendee Globe winner.
The sheer brutality of the Vendee lies not only in the vagaries of erratic weather, but more in the climate extremes accentuated by days of endless isolation. For over three months the sailors will have to race their boats, eat, sleep, navigate, strategise and remain safe while battling the scorching heat and humidity of the tropics as well as the frigid far reaches of the southern latitudes. It’s a balancing act between speed, safety, mental self discipline and taking time to relish the pure pleasure of sailing alone on the open ocean.
When the skippers gather in France prior to the start of the Vendee Globe, they will be among the few sailors prepared to undertake the rigors of a non-stop solo circumnavigation. More people have flown in outer space than sailed around the world solo and this fact alone brings out crowds. In the week leading up to the start of the Vendee Globe more than 300,000 people will pay a visit to the Vendee Race Village. On the day of the start, close to half a million people from all over the world will descended on Les Sable D’ Olonne to wish the sailors a safe journey. When they return it will seem as if half of France has turned out to welcome them back and to witness another historic end to an event that has become a benchmark for all aspiring single-handed sailors.
There are 35 measured boats in existence and a further 12 new boats being built. There is an established 4 year circuit of professional events, with massive public following & presence.
All events on the Open 60 circuit, not just the Vendee Globe, have an international reach, with races starting and finishing across the world. Currently competitors representing 14 different nations are involved. Relatively low cost campaigns with reasonable entry level budgets, coupled with a strong circuit, deliver sponsors high value for money.
The class association is strong, stable and has been in existence since 1990. Sponsors can be confident about the brand they are investing in.
Professional sailing has finally entered the mainstream as a dynamic, media driven global sport. This is largely due to the astounding recent successes achieved by shorthanded sailors like Dame Ellen MacArthur, Mike Golding and Dee Caffari as well as the other highly regarded single-handed sailors that have competed in the Vendee Globe. These stories of intense competition, compelling human drama and high tech, innovative craft have captured the imagination of millions worldwide.
The emergence of new technology has allowed for instant communication with the sailors whilst at sea. This can be visual through satellite video links as well as from written logs, still images and animated computer graphics, which display the relative positions of the yachts in real-time 3D. All this makes ocean racing more tangible and has brought gripping stories to a global audience.
In conjunction with these changes, there has been a marked increase in the level of professionalism among the sailors. They recognize and understand corporate sponsorship and the unique needs of each financial partner. Perhaps most important of all, corporations have come to understand the marketing value, branding opportunities and internal corporate and client motivation, that can be achieved through an around-the-world yacht race that pits sailors against and alongside our natural environment.
In practical terms, the yacht and all the associated marketing material will carry sponsors corporate branding. This will bring spectacular worldwide awareness and the program of the yacht and skipper can be tailored to fit with the sponsors markets. The Open 60s bring a unique opportunity for corporate hospitality and team building. These charter days are ideal for networking and are often used to provide reward for internal incentive schemes.
Ocean Racing offers an exciting return on investment. During the 2004 Vendee Globe, media interest around the world was unprecedented. There was over 275 hours of television coverage, 195 hours of radio coverage, 12,500 written articles and over 135 million related web pages were viewed. These figures represented an increase of 100% since the previous edition of the race in 2000. With sailing on an all time high, the returns for sponsors of the 2008/9 Vendee Globe will make impressive viewing when the media figures are released.
To discuss this exciting project further, please contact Nick or Jon via the CONTACT page.
