Les Sables-d’Olonne: capitalising on sailing and ocean racing
by Ramy James Salameh
For Les Sables d'Olonne sport has brought global attention to this elegant seaside town in western France. Settled on the shores of the Atlantic coast, the destination has become the world capital of single-handed ocean racing, home of the Vendée Globe and Golden Globe solo round-the-world sailing races.
The latter is described as the father of solo round-the-world events, one for the sailing purists, placing man and not machine at the heart of maritime exploration, while the equally demanding Vendée Globe uses state-of-the-art technology and equipment, but with no less guile, determination and fortitude.
A dedicated race village opens to the public at Esplanade du Vendée Globe weeks prior ...
