Les sables d’Olonne, France (GenevaLunch) - Thirty sailors set off on the solo non-stop round the world race. The race was first run in 1989 and is held every four years.

French sailors have won all the races so far. The current record is 87 days, 10 hours and 47 minutes: some experts think 80 days is possible. There are two Swiss competitors: Bernard Stamm and Dominique Wavre, but Genevan Wavre was forced to turn back two hours after the start Sunday due to technical problems and Stamm, from St Prex, Vaud, turned back in the evening after hitting a fishing boat, which damaged his bowsprit. Details, swissinfo and Vendee Globe site (regular race updates).

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