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The Vendée Globe is one of the most prestigious and toughest sailing races in the world. It is a non-stop round-the-world regatta in which participants sail alone on the open sea without outside assistance and without stopovers. The challenge and appeal of this race attract sailing enthusiasts from all over the world.
The essentials at a glance
- The Vendée Globe is a prestigious offshore race that challenges sailors to circumnavigate the globe solo, non-stop and without outside assistance.
- The Vendée Globe route covers 24,000 nautical miles and includes extremely challenging milestones such as Cape Horn, the Cape of Good Hope and the Southern Ocean.
The history of the Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe was first launched in 1989 and has since become one of the most renowned offshore races in the world. Philippe Jeantot, the visionary founder, wanted to create a race that would challenge the world's finest sailors to circumnavigate the Earth solo, non-stop and without outside assistance. This ambitious goal has remained unchanged ever since, and the Vendée Globe has produced numerous heroes who have taken on this epic adventure. The race starts and finishes at Les Sables-d'Olonne on the French Atlantic coast.
Over the years, the race has continued to evolve. From the early days when sailors were largely left to their own devices, to today's highly advanced yachts equipped with the latest technology – the Vendée Globe remains synonymous with extreme sailing and human endurance. Each edition brings new records, dramatic moments and inspiring stories that embody the spirit and fascination of this unique race.
Vendée Globe Winners
Here is a list of the previous winners of the Vendée Globe, the toughest single-handed sailing race in the world:
1989/90 – Titouan Lamazou (FRA)
- Boat: Écureuil d'Aquitaine II
- Time: 109 days, 8 hours, 48 min
1992/93 – Alain Gautier (FRA)
- Boat: Bagages Superior
- Time: 110 days, 2 hours, 22 min
1996/97 – Christophe Auguin (FRA)
- Boat: Geodis
- Time: 105 days, 20 hours, 31 min
2000/01 – Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA)
- Boat: PRB
- Time: 93 days, 3 hours, 57 min
2004/05 – Vincent Riou (FRA)
- Boat: PRB
- Time: 87 days, 10 hours, 47 min
2008/09 – Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA)
- Boat: Foncia
- Time: 84 days, 3 hours, 9 min
2012/13 – François Gabart (FRA)
- Boat: MACIF
- Time: 78 days, 2 hours, 16 min
2016/17 – Armel Le Cléac'h (FRA)
- Boat: Banque Populaire VIII
- Time: 74 days, 3 hours, 35 min
2020/21 – Yannick Bestaven (FRA)
- Boat: Maître CoQ IV
- Time: 80 days, 3 hours, 44 min
Special Events from Previous Editions of the Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe is known for its extreme challenges and dramatic events. Here are some special and remarkable events from previous editions:
1989/90 — 13 boats at the start, 7 boats at the finish
- Titouan Lamazou won the first Vendée Globe, thereby laying the foundation for the race's popularity.
- The American Mike Plant disqualified himself after accepting minor assistance, but finished the race anyway, unofficially in 135 days and with a self-repaired rig.
- Philippe Poupon's ketch Fleury Michon X capsized in the Southern Ocean. Poupon himself was rescued by Loïck Peyron, who eventually finished second.
1992/93 – 14 boats at the start, 7 boats at the finish
- Mike Plant lost his keel before the start and has been missing ever since.
- Nigel Burgess was found drowned off Cape Finisterre, having presumably fallen overboard.
- Bertrand de Broc stitched his own tongue back together after an injury.
- Philippe Poupon finished the race with a jury rig after a mast breakage.
- Nándor Fa became the first non-French sailor to finish the race.
1996/97 – 15 boats at the start, 6 boats at the finish
- Heavy weather in the Bay of Biscay brought an early end to the race for Nándor Fa and Didier Munduteguy.
- Several participants returned for repairs and restarted.
- Yves Parlier and Isabelle Autissier broke their rudders in the Southern Ocean.
- Catherine Chabaud was the first woman to finish the race.
2000/01 – 24 boats at the start, 15 boats at the finish
- Michel Desjoyeaux, known as 'Le Professeur', won his first Vendée Globe. He was the first skipper to finish the Vendée Globe in under 100 days.
- Ellen MacArthur, at 24, was the youngest participant ever to finish the race. She not only came second but also finished the race in under 100 days.
2004/05 – 20 boats at the start, 13 boats at the finish
- The start was watched by over 300,000 people.
- The race remained exciting until the finish, with three boats crossing the line within 29 hours.
2008/2009 – 29 boats at the start, 11 boats at the finish
- Michel Desjoyeaux became the first sailor to win the Vendée Globe twice. In doing so he set a new course record and once again demonstrated his outstanding abilities.
- Jean Le Cam was rescued by Vincent Riou after losing his keel in the Southern Ocean. Riou damaged his mast during the rescue, which broke shortly afterwards.
2012/2013 – 29 boats at the start, 11 boats at the finish
- François Gabart won the Vendée Globe at the age of 29 and broke several records, including the fastest single-handed circumnavigation and the shortest time to cross the equator.
- Jean-Pierre Dick sailed the final 2,650 miles without a keel and reached the finish in fourth place.
2016/17 – 29 boats at the start, 18 boats at the finish
- Armel Le Cléac'h set a new course record with 74 days. The edition was also notable for the exciting race between Le Cléac'h and Britain's Alex Thomson, which was decided just hours before the finish.
- Alan Roura, 23 years old, and Rich Wilson, 66 years old, were the youngest and oldest skippers ever to finish the race.
- This edition was the first to feature foiling monohulls with hydrofoils. The four foiling boats that reached the finish occupied the top positions.
2020/21 – 33 boats at the start, 25 boats at the finish
- Kevin Escoffier suffered a hull break and was rescued by Jean Le Cam. The sailors involved in the rescue (Le Cam, Herrmann, Bestaven) received time credits for the assistance rendered.
- Various damage to the hydrofoils led to discussions about cost, efficiency, vulnerability, seaworthiness and structural implications of the development.
- Boris Herrmann was 90 miles from the finish line when he rammed a fishing boat and severely damaged the boat. Due to the proximity to the finish line, he was able to complete the race.
The Vendée Globe route
The Vendée Globe route is as spectacular as it is challenging. The race starts and finishes in Les Sables-d'Olonne, a charming coastal town in the Vendée département in France. From there, the course takes the sailors 24,000 nautical miles around the world and back, crossing some of the harshest waters.
One of the most striking challenges on the route is rounding the great capes – the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn. These milestones are not just geographical markers, but also represent extreme tests of seamanship. The passage through the Southern Ocean, along the ice limit, takes the sailors into a zone with extreme weather conditions that push physical and mental limits.
In addition to the great capes and the Southern Ocean, the sailors must also cross the doldrums, a treacherous zone with often weak winds and calms.
IMOCA 60 boats in the Vendée Globe: characteristics and technology
The IMOCA 60 boats used in the Vendée Globe are state-of-the-art sailing yachts specifically developed for long-distance solo regattas. Here are the key features of these impressive monohulls:
1. Length and design
- Distance: The boats are 60 feet (approx. 18.28 metres) long.
- Design: Monohulls, optimised for stability and speed. The sleek design reduces water resistance.
2. Foiling technology
- Foils: Many modern IMOCA 60 boats use foils to lift the boat partially out of the water. This technology reduces drag and increases speed, which is particularly advantageous in the Vendée Globe.
3. Materials
- Carbon fibre: The use of carbon fibre ensures a light but extremely stable boat. This choice of material is crucial for the performance and safety of the boats.
4. Rig and sails
- High-performance sails: Made from light, tear-resistant materials to withstand the extreme conditions at sea.
- Rig system: Efficient design for maximum sail area and optimal performance.
5. Safety and self-sufficiency
- Safety equipment: Life rafts, EPIRB transmitters and other safety devices are standard.
- Autonomy: Equipped for long deployments with water purification systems and supplies.
6. Electronics and autopilot
- Advanced navigation: Modern autopilots and navigation systems help skippers to steer the boat even under extreme conditions.
- Weather instruments: Essential for planning and executing the route.
These innovative features make the IMOCA 60 boats the most advanced monohull sailing boats, ideal for the challenges of the Vendée Globe. They offer a combination of speed, stability and safety that is essential for this extreme offshore regatta.
Summary
The Vendée Globe has become one of the most exciting and challenging sailing races in the world. From its fascinating history and the extreme challenges of the route to the impressive participants and their cutting-edge boats – every facet of this race offers thrilling insights into offshore sailing.
Frequently asked questions
When and where does the Vendée Globe 2024 start?
The Vendée Globe 2024 starts on 10 November in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France. Be there to follow this exciting sailing race! Les Sables-d’Olonne is not only the starting point but also the finishing point of this challenging non-stop round-the-world regatta.
How many nautical miles must the sailors cover?
The sailors must sail over 24,000 nautical miles around the world. That is an enormous distance they must cover.
How can I sail in a regatta myself?
Fancy sailing yourself... then have a look at Sailing in a regatta.
