Yachtsman Mike Golding before he sets sail for France

Mike Golding, 44, from Southampton, has spent the last four years preparing for one of the world's toughest challenges, which gets under way on 7 November.

Mr Golding is one of the favourites to win the 26,000-mile circumnavigation of the globe in his 60ft yacht Ecover.

The former fireman leaves the UK for the race start in France on Tuesday.

'Ultimate challenge'

Currently ranked number one in his class after winning the Transat - a qualification race for the Vendee Globe - Mr Golding said he had some "unfinished business" to complete after being dismasted nearing the start of the same race in 2000/2001.

The father of a 17-month-old son explained: "I believe I can win this race with this boat.

"I am well prepared and the boat is well prepared but the reality is that because of the length of the Vendee you need an element of luck.

"I cannot see where in sport or adventure there is anything that surpasses the Vendee Globe.

Mr Golding hopes to win in his 60ft �1.5m yacht Ecover

"This is the ultimate challenge - only about 45 people have ever sailed around the world solo non-stop."

Mr Golding finished seventh overall after he returned to port, fixed a new mast and started again eight days later.

If he wins this race - which begins from Les Sables D'Olonne in western France and is expected to take him about 100 days - he will be the first Briton to do so.

Ellen MacArthur, who lives on the Isle of Wight, came second in 2001 to become the fastest woman and youngest person ever to circumnavigate the globe single-handed at just 24-years-old.

Alex Thompson, from Portsmouth, and Conrad Humphries, from Plymouth, are the two other Britons taking part in the Vendee Globe.