The Vendée Globe, named by the public the “Everest of the seas”

The Vendée Globe - a race, a history, its men, and its women...

The Vendée Globe is the only single-handed, non-stop, non-assisted round-the-world sailing race on 60-foot IMOCA monohulls. The race is extremely popular, with over 2 million visitors in 2016. This race is dedicated to great sailors in search of a challenge and to surpassing themselves. Over a period of three months, the Vendée Globe participants must complete a series of important phases, including the three capes: Good Hope (South Africa), Leeuwin (Australia) and Cap Horn (Chile). The race starts in the port of Les Sables d'Olonne, then heads down the Atlantic, across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, before heading back up towards the Atlantic. The Vendée Globe course represents just over 20,000 nautical miles, or more than 40,000 kilometres and takes place every 4 years. To date, Armel Le Cléac'h from the Finistère (Brittany), holds the Vendée Globe record for the last edition of the race, with a time of 74 days and 3 hours.

It all began in 1968, when the Golden Globe Challenge initiated the first circumnavigation of three capes: Good Hope, Leeuwin, and the Horn, with 9 skippers taking part. Of the 9 pioneers who set off, only one managed to return to Falmouth, the great English port of Cornwall. This race became legendary and will be remembered forever. Twenty years later, it would become the inspiration and pioneering spirit behind the Vendée Globe. In 1989, Philippe Jeantot, a famous French yachtsman, launched the very first Vendée Globe race.

The Vendée Globe and its 3 main principles

Non-stop...

When a skipper sets off to compete in the Vendée Globe, his only possibility of stopping for technical reasons is ... to return to Les Sables d'Olonne, within a maximum of 10 days. And that’s as far as it goes! Jérémie Beyou had this experience in 2020 after colliding with an unidentified floating object (UFO), just as Michel Desjoyeaux did in 2008. In his case, Michel Desjoyeaux set off again 40 hours behind schedule and eventually won the race.

Unassisted...

During the Vendée Globe, the yachtsman or yachtswoman is alone on board. The only assistance accepted is that resulting from a forced return to Les Sables d'Olonne, after the start, which inevitably puts the competitor at a disadvantage. Relying solely on yourself is therefore rule, n°1. They repair their boats in the event of damage, plan their own navigation and treat themselves if they are injured (with the virtual assistance from the race doctor). As far as technical assistance is concerned, the rules are very clear: it is strictly forbidden to accost any other vessel or allow a third party to board.

A human adventure…

The strength of the Vendée Globe lies in its duration. By imposing a circumnavigation of the globe without any stopovers or assistance, the Vendée Globe rules recognise the sailors’ ability to carry out any technical maintenance on their boat during periods of extreme difficulty or stress. Preparation is essential and will allow the sailor to make the right decision on his or her sailing methods. There is a subtle balance to be struck between the need to save weight and the need to carry spare equipment. This will determine the outcome of the three months of racing. The number of candidates has risen from 34 in 2020 to 40 for this 10th edition.