Vendee Globe Italian 12th boat home.

by Philippe Jeantot on 11 Mar 2001 Simone Bianchetti (Aquarelle.com) crossed the finish line of the Vendée Globe at 1739hrs French time. He has achieved his solo, non-stop circumnavigation in 121 days, 1 hour and 28
minutes, and finished in 12th place in the Vendée Globe 2000/1. Simone has also become the first Italian skipper to achieve a solo, non-stop around the world yacht race. This was his
first, but the boat¹s fifth circumnavigation.

The fog was settling offshore and the day drawing in as the support boats went out to look for Simone¹s green and white Open 60, ŒAquarelle.com¹ on the horizon. Finally she
appeared out of the mist under staysail and 1 reef gliding over the Atlantic swell at 9 knots, her skipper still tucked inside the cabin and unaware of the swarm of boats arriving to motor
alongside for the final 2 miles.

Bianchetti popped up out of his cabin, his traditional navy sailor¹s cap cocked to one side, unshaven, weather beaten but evidently happy. Once through the line the shouts and cheers
from his Italian compatriots rose loud and clear. Simone himself sailed the boat right into the harbour entrance, where he was welcomed by thousands more people lining the walls 5
deep and cheering in admiration of the Italian skipper.

In the Press Conference, Simone was asked what the hardest thing was in the race: 'Finding the budget!' came the jovial reply. Would he do the Vendée Globe again? 'Yes,' he replied
without hesitation, 'but with a faster, more modern boat next time.' Philippe Monnet, the owner and previous skipper of Aquarelle.com, was there to welcome Simone and gave his vote
of confidence to the Italian skipper for bringing his boat back in such good condition.

Behind him, still on course, Yves Parlier (Aquitaine Innovations) is advancing well towards Les Sables d¹Olonne with a good average speed of 12 knots. 'I¹m sailing in a steady SW
breeze under staysail and 2 reefs in the main, I¹ve furled the genoa to preserve it a bit. I¹m waiting for the wind to change so I can gybe onto port and climb North a little. The wind
should stay from the West until the finish in theory. I think I¹ll arrive on Saturday morning if the weather files are right and I don¹t have any technical problems. But you know it¹s not
like I¹m on the fast train, at the very least I know I¹ll be coming home. I¹m a little anxious for the finish, these are my last moments of serenity and peacefulness and I am loving every
minute.'

Didier Munduteguy (DDP/60eme Sud) is still in the 15 ­ 20 knot Northerly Trade winds. 'I¹ve been making good progress for the last two days, heading North, and should arrive in
about 15 days. My rudder is holding up well, I don¹t sense any trouble with it at any rate.'

Pasquale de Gregorio (Wind) is still soldiering on under jury rig, and handicapped as well by the fact that he can only receive weather files by fax, unable to access information by
satellite or web. 'Today has been another so so day, battling in light NE airs and heading barely over 0 degrees. Actually, we have made little progress considering the light upwind
conditions and the reduced mainsail we are forced to sail with due to our emergency rig. In the last 6 days we have averaged 60 miles per day.'

ETA

Yves Parlier (Aquitaine Innovations) ­ 17th March

Latest Ranking* polled at 1400hrs (UT):

Psn Boat Skipper Lat Long Headg Av. Speed** DTF***
1 PRB Michel Desjoyeaux Finish: 10 February 2008hrs 32 sec
2 Kingfisher Ellen MacArthur Finish: 11 February 2036hrs 40 sec
3 Sill Matines & La Potagère Roland Jourdain Finish: 13 February 1713hrs 33 sec
4 Active Wear Marc Thiercelin Finish: 20 February 1248hrs 49sec
5 Union Bancaire Privée Dominique Wavre Finish: 22 February 1858hrs 12sec
6 Sodebo Savourons la Vie Thomas Coville Finish: 22 February 2335hrs 0sec
7 Team Group 4 Mike Golding Finish: 28 February 0833hrs 0sec
8 Voilà.fr Bernard Gallay Finish: 1 March 0818hrs 11sec
9 EBP - Défi PME - Gartmore Josh Hall Finish: 1 March 1159hrs 2 sec
10 Nord Pas de Calais - Chocolats du Monde Joe Seeten Finish: 5 March 0857hrs 50 sec
11 VM Matériaux Patrice Carpentier Finish: 5 March 1643hrs 48 sec
12 Aquarelle.com Simone Bianchetti Finish: 10 March 1739hrs
13 Aquitaine Innovations Yves Parlier 34°24'N 25°24'W 77 12.1 1291
14 DDP - 60ème Sud Didier Munduteguy 16°14'N 32°58'W 358 7.08 2403
15 Wind Pasquale de Gregorio 15°08'S 35°57'W 348 5.74 4218


For further information:

Go to the official race website: http://www.vendeeglobe.com - click on the English flag Positions are updated at 0830, 1230, 1730hrs GMT daily on the site.