The Vendée Globe 1996-1997

While Argos tracked all the skippers in the Vendée-Globe 1996-1997 single-handed round-the-world race, altimetry satellites (Topex/Poseidon and ERS-2) measured wave heights. The chart right shows the routes followed by Thierry Dubois (in yellow) and Tony Bullimore (in orange). For them the race ended in raging seas, their boats engulfed by waves over 12 metres high!

: Wave heights measured by satellite altimetry (Topex/Poseidon and ERS-2) on January 4, 1997 in the Antarctic Ocean. Boats were tracked by a combined Argos and GPS system. Credits CLS.

Satellite altimetry is a reliable source of sea state data. In the years ahead, fully operational systems will make such data available in real time to enhance forecasting services and help to improve safety for sailors and route ships.

January, 4, 1997.
Animations :

Dubois and Bullimore between December 2, 1996 and January 10, 1997.
Auguin, Autissier and Roufs between November 30, 1996 and January 30, 1997.
Dinelli, Goss and Chabaut between November 29, 1996 and February 6, 1997.
DeBroc, Dumont, Laurent, Parlier and Thiercelin between November 30, 1996 and February 6, 1997.