The Lt Governor’s son, Jonny Malbon, left, skipper of the open 60 Artemis II, with Loick Peyron, who skippers Gitana Eighty. The are pictured on board Artemis II at the race village in Les Sables d’Olonne prior to the start of the Vendee Globe race. (Picture by Lloyd Images, 0667844)

THE island’s Lt-Governor says his son, Johnny, is ‘as ready as he can be’ for Sunday’s start of arguably the biggest race in world yachting.

Sir Fabian Malbon’s son is taking part in the gruelling Vendee Globe round-the-world solo challenge.

The race is one of the most prestigious in the sailing world, its profile having been raised in the UK by Dame Ellen McArthur coming second in the event in 2001 and by Terry Bullimore’s Southern Ocean capsize in 1997.

Bullimore survived in the hull of his yacht for five days before being rescued in the freezing Southern Ocean waters, 2,000 miles south of Australia.

Johnny Malbon is one of the 30 competitors in the 21,760-mile race which the winner is expected to complete in around 90 days.

The 34-year-old has been a professional sailor for more than 10 years, sailing more than 200,000 miles.