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Article Images
'Spacelift' for Vendée Globe sailor
 
22 November 2004

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French sailor Marc Thiercelin is participating in the Vendée Globe, one of the world’s toughest sailing races. The race commenced from the harbour of Les Sables d’Olonne in France on 7 November 2004. Thiercelin's boat Pro Form has been equipped with several advanced technologies from Europe's space programmes, including lighter batteries, more efficient solar cells and an intelligent energy management system – these have cut critical weight and optimised the vital electricity systems on board.
 
  Lighter batteries
 
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Marc Thiercelin, participant in the 2004/5 Vendée Globe race
Marc Thiercelin, 44-years-old, has already completed two Vendée Globe races plus the ‘Around Alone’ race. He has sailed over 470 000 km of the world's oceans and is a very experienced yachtsmen.

Credits: Ermanuelle Thiercelin
 
  Better solar cells
 
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Marc Thiercelin, participant in the 2004/5 Vendée Globe race
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Marc Thiercelin will compete in the the 2004/5 Vendée Globe race in his 60 foot Pro Form sailboat

Credits: Th. Martinez
 
  Improving the electrics
 
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Marc Thiercelin, participant in the 2004/5 Vendée Globe race
Marc Thiercelin navigating inside the boat that has been stripped of all unnecessary weight

Credits: Th. Martinez
 
  Marc Thiercelin
 
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Marc Thiercelin, participant in the 2004/5 Vendée Globe race
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Thiercelin crossing the stormy Atlantic in the 2004 Transat race

Credits: Th. Martinez
 


More information
Marc ThiercelinThiercelin's website 'Captainmarck'Vendée Globe
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ESA's Technology Transfer ProgrammeRacing with the Sun
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