Top skippers in the Vendee Globe 2000: Who's going to win this endurance test?

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Best bets in the Vendee Globe 2000

A guide to the best of the 24 contenders

The last two Vendee Globe races saw 13 entrants each. Less than half of each fleet finished.

In this year’s race 24 skippers are competing with some of the best talent on the water.

Here are some of the skippers worth following:

Mike Golding (Group 4):
This guy is Britain’s great white hope. And based on his history, he rates highly. Twice skipper in the British Steel Challenge, in which identical yachts race around the world against prevailing winds - in other words east to west - Golding rallied his crew strongly, especially in the second race. Matching his powerful win was the united respect for the skipper by his crew. Very impressive.

Not so impressive, was his withdrawl from the last Around Alone solo race in 1998, when leading the fleet he struck a sand bar off New Zealand’s North Cape. The damage was serious and his prospects for a win evaporated.

Golding placed third in the 1999 double-handed trans-Atlantic race and third in the solo trans-Atlantic race last June.

Ellen MacArthur (Kingfisher):
Go Grrrrl! This chick is a legend in her own lunchtime. The youngest competitor, she has sailed her yacht Kingfisher more miles than most, having delivered it from Auckland, where it was built to England prior to the start of the Europe One New Man solo trans-Atlantic Race in June.

Her outright win surprised many, who insisted her yacht was better than others in the upwind conditions. However, close analysis revealed this young woman has many talents. She played the weather beautifully, and rates a real challenge in the Vendee Globe.

Catherine Chabaud Whirlpool):
Very experienced, very capable, but somewhat overshadowed by the past achievements of Isabelle Autissier.

Became the first woman to finish a Vendee Globe unassisted during the last race, placing sixth. She achieved that to a large extent by sailing cautiously along the 40th parallel through the Southern Ocean. Such a move is smart for survival, but won't win any races.

She placed second in the 1999 double-handed trans-Atlantic race (the Jacques Vabre) and sixth in June's solo trans-Atlantic race. Keep an eye on her.

Thomas Coville (Sodebo):
Winner of the 1999 Jacques Fabre double handed trans-Atlantic race, aboard Sodebo, Coville bowed out of June’s STAR after his mast disintegrated in the first (and wildest) storm to hit the fleet. Certainly a player in the Vendee.

His past sailing experience includes crew during two America's cup campaigns, crew aboard Primagaz in Grand Prix multihull events and crew aboard Sport-Elec during its Jules Verne record run.

Yves Parlier (Aquitaine Innovations):
Another casualty of the June storm which clobbered the STAR fleet, Parlier is no lightweight. But his strength of spirit - at least initially - often overpowers his equipment. Last Vendee, Parler set a cracking pace, despite losing his watermaker very early in he race. Whether his innovative rotating rig was faulty or whether he pushed too hard, his forestay parted before reaching the Southern Ocean and rudder damage from a collision below Cape Town sealed his fate.

He is regarded as brilliant when it comes to weather tactics. Keep an eye on him.

Roland Jourdain:
With four Vendee Globe races and tow Whitbread races under his belt, this man is a sure favourite. Finished second in June's solo trans-Atlantic race.

Survivors of capsize in the Southern Ocean during the last race, Raphael Dinelli and Thierry Dubois - are back for more. In Dubois’ case, his new Open 60 is noticeable for its rounded rails, designed in a bid to prevent a repeat of his performance in 1997, when his yacht Amnesty pour International failed to right itself, despite its keel remaining intact.

Prior to the capsizes, gear problems plagued the pair leaving them trailing the leaders.

During June’s upwind solo trans-Atlantic race, Dubois finished fourth, two hours behind second place.

Michel Desjoyeaux:
Very competent but has failed to place in recent events. Don't let that fool you!

Marc Thiercelin
Second in the last Vendee Globe and second again in the Around Alone solo 'round the world race (not a non-stop event). Finished eighth in June's solo trans-Atlantic race. Keep an eye on this guy!

Eric Dumont:
Good prospect, based on his fourth place in the last Vendee Globe. Plenty of experience, and very resourceful. Dismasted in the June solo trans-Atlantic.