This time one year ago the Vendée Globe fleet were in the Southern Ocean. And in three years time the next race will be in full swing. From the perspective of the solo racers who are planning to compete in the upcoming edition the clock is always ticking, time is always ebbing away as the countdown continues. That applies as much to those who are in the fortunate position of having funding, a boat in build or under refit, as it does to those who are still at the planning stage, posing rhetorical questions to themselves and others. What will be the actual costs? Who will our partners be? Who will be on the technical shore team? And of course…which boat will I be sailing?
