'Forty boats is unprecedented. It's going to be a magical edition with a very high standard,' insists French skipper Thomas Ruyant, on the 10th edition of the legendary Vendée Globe, which will start on 10th November. The defending champion, Yannick Bestaven, agrees: 'The level is very good. I think the level is even higher than it was four years ago, we've all progressed.' IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES