In solo ocean racing the Vendée Globe is the greatest challenge. In the most recent edition of the race, 19 of the 30 skippers who started the race failed to finish.
TG4’s Head of Sport, Rónan Ó Coisdealbha said: “After TG4’s successful coverage of the Volvo Ocean Race we are pleased to be able to bring the Vendée Globe series to sailing fans all over Ireland. The Vendée Globe is an amazing race and we are looking forward to broadcasting this documentary series on TG4.”
The ‘Everest of the Seas’, the 2008/09 edition of the Vendée Globe lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s toughest sporting challenges. The race started on the 9th November and saw major rescues in the Southern Ocean, where skippers faced the most treacherous waters on the planet.
In theory, the Vendée Globe is an utterly simple affair – a sailing race around the world, for singlehanders, without any stopover. The race has impressed the maritime world and the public in general, to the point where even the strongest superlatives seem unable to define it.
Vendée Globe on TG4 – Starting Thursday 9th July 2009 and every Thursday 7:30pm
TG4 have announced that it will broadcast the 2008/09 edition of the Vendée Globe Non-stop Around the World Sailing Race, starting next Thursday (9th July) evening at 7:30pm. The six-part documentary series includes on-board footage filmed by the sailors themselves, 3D animations showing their progress around the globe and highlights from the other competitors in this extraordinary race that as ever, lived up to its billing.
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