Friday, June 3:
- > 9:30 p.m.: parade of the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe skippers
- > 11 p.m.: pyromusical show
A Big Parade and Festival Before The Vendée Arctic Start
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A big parade of the Vendée Globe 2020-2021 skippers will take place in Les Sables d’Olonne on June 3 as the prelude to the opening of the Vendée Arctic Les Sables d’Olonne. race village. This will include the chance to visit the race pontoons and see the skippers and some race boats, enjoy round tables discussions and conferences and many complementary events running onwards from June 4 for three weeks.
Port Olona is preparing to reconnect with Vendée Globe fans and visitors while the skippers are getting a chance to reconnect with the visiting public!
The race village of the Vendée Arctique – Les Sables d’Olonne will open its doors for nine days, from June 4 to 12. The day before, the skippers of the Vendée Globe 2020-2021 will be honoured during a big parade through the streets of Les Sables d'Olonne during an evening which will end with a pyro musical show.
From June 15, and until June 26, the race village will be the anchor point for the public and the place to welcome skippers as they finish.
Here is, in detail, what this village, which is free to enter, will offer its visitors:
Saturday June 4:
- > 10:00 am: opening of the village
- > 5 p.m.: IMOCA race against the clock in the bay of Sables d'Olonne in front of the embankment
- > 9:30 p.m.: presentation of the skippers on the village stage
Monday, June 6:
- > Round table on the theme of the Arctic
Friday, June 10:
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> Big concert in the village
Sunday June 12:
- > 1:00 p.m.: Leaving the pontoons
- > 5:00 p.m.: Start of the Vendée Arctique - Les Sables d'Olonne
Saturday June 18:
- > Explorer photographer Florian Ledoux will be in the village to share his adventure and present his photographic exhibition.
Tuesday, June 21:
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> The Vendée Arctic - Les Sables d'Olonne will organize its music festival with the program: No Pigeons After Ten, followed by the Idle Fingers.
Wednesday 22 / Thursday 23 June:
- > First finishers
Sunday 26 June at 5 p.m.:
- > Skippers Prize-Giving Ceremony
Permanent animations:
- > The stands of the Department of the Vendée will include an exhibition which will highlight the skippers, the race, its course and the highlights of the Vendée area, land of sailing.
- > A photographic exhibition by Florian Ledoux on the Arctic .
- > A 200m2 ice rink will welcome visitors in the heart of the village
- > The Virtual Arctic Expedition game, designed by marine biology scientists, will allow visitors to virtually immerse themselves in the Arctic seabed and the environmental challenges of the Far North.
On the stage will be organized
- > Virtual Regatta Inshore challenges, open to the public; these 7-minute regatta simulations on technical courses will be broadcast on the village screens.
- > At 3 p.m., a daily round table will welcome skippers and many guests to discuss many themes.
- > At 7 p.m.: Live with the skippers
> Many race partners and skippers will hold entertainment stands until the Start.
> Two activities will be added to the program, from June 15 to 22: radio-controlled IMOCA model races, as well as waterball races!
OPENING HOURS :
Start village
- > Saturday June 4: 10am-11pm
- > Sunday 5 to Sunday 12 June: 10am-8pm
Race Village & Arrivals
- > Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 June: closed
- > Wednesday 15 to Friday 17 June: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- > Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June: 10am-8pm
- > Monday 20 to Friday 24 June: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- > Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 June: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The village bar will be open every day until 01:00hrs!