As a preamble
On November 8, 2020, in Les Sables d'Olonne, the start of the 9th edition of the Vendée Globe was given, this mythical race, a real "Everest of the seas", and a must for lovers of maritime challenges and nautical adventure. The Vendée Globe is currently the only solo, non-stop, unassisted, round-the-world sailing race. Hence the media frenzy and the public's enthusiasm throughout the world.
A pioneer in the field of solo round-the-world races, the Golden Globe initiated in 1968 the first solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe, passing through the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn). Of the nine sailors who set off, the British sailor Robin Knox-Johnston was the only one to succeed in returning to Falmouth after 313 days at sea.
Some 20 years later, it was the navigator Philippe Jeantot who, after his double victory in the BOC Challenge (the solo round-the-world race with stopovers), launched the idea of a new round-the-world race, still solo but this time without stopovers! The Globe Challenge was born... to become the Vendée Globe a few years later.
Heroes, dramas...
On November 26, 1989, 13 sailors took the start of this first edition of the Vendée Globe, which lasted over three months. They were only 7 to return to Les Sables-d'Olonne. And it was Titouan Lamazou who was the first to cross the finish line, 109 days and 24,000 miles later, at the helm ofÉcureuil d'Aquitaine II, a state-of-the-art Bouvet-Petit design. Only 3h30 after him arrived Loïck Peyron, who had diverted to save his friend Philippe Poupon, whose ketch (Fleury Michon) had gone on the side.
The second edition (1992-1993) was the one of the first dramas, with the damage of Loïck Peyron and Yves Parlier, but especially the death of the British sailor Nigel Burgess. This second edition had a bittersweet taste and was finally won by Alain Gautier on Bagages Superior.
Four years later, in 1996, fifteen competitors took the start. Among the favorites were Christophe Auguin from Normandy, two-time winner of the BOC Challenge, his Quebec friend Gerry Roufs, and Yves Parlier from Aquitaine, who arrived at the helm of a futuristic 60-foot boat, the first monohull built in carbon and equipped with a pivoting wing mast. Two women, Isabelle Autissier and Catherine Chabaud, are taking part in the festivities, adding a feminine presence to the many candidates for the places of honor, such as Eric Dumont or the repeat offender Bertrand de Broc.
... and records
Only one sailor has won the Vendée Globe twice: Michel Desjoyeaux, in 2001 and 2009. A real feat and a tour de force when you know what the sailors involved have to face during this journey!
In 2013, the young François Gabart won the edition, in 78 days. But the record for the event is held by Armel Le Cléac'h (on Banque Populaire), the winner of the 2017 edition in 74 days, 3 hours 35 min 46 s (that is, 3 days 22h and 41 min less than François Gabart in 2013). His average speed over the theoretical course of 24,500 miles is 13.77 knots. Twice2nd in the Vendée Globe 2008 and 2012 editions, this Breton wins the coveted grail!
A 9th edition, record participation
For this 9th edition, 37 skippers were registered (a record!). Sailors coming from the 4 corners of the world. Beyond these passionate skippers, the 2020 edition also included 9 new boats, and four architects. Among the skippers, there were repeat offenders, including our valiant Jean Le Cam and Alex Thomson, whosefifth participation. Arnaud Boissières and Jérémie Beyou were participating for the4th time . Six women also took part in this edition, including Samantha Davies for herthird participation. The sailor who finished her round-the-world race after having to stop in Cape Town, South Africa, due to damage. And see her chances to win the race destroyed.
The 2020 list of winners
Yannick Bestaven (Maître Coq IV) arrived on 28 January 2021 after 80 days, 3 hours, 44 minutes and 46 seconds of racing. It should be noted that the skipper benefited from compensation time for the rescue of Kevin Escoffier.
Charlie Dalin arrived on January 27 after 80 days, 6 hours, 15 minutes and 47 seconds.
Louis Burton arrived in Les Sables on January 27 after 80 days, 10 hours, 25 minutes and 12 seconds of racing.
The organization
For each edition, an exceptional set-up is put in place for the Vendée Globe in Les Sables-d'Olonne, with Race HQ in Paris, a website updated in real time and international media coverage. Every 4 years, the meeting point is given to push back the limits, human and technical. And for those who want to take part in the race from the comfort of their living room, Virtual Regatta is the solution to live an adventure in the calm and dry!
The course
The Vendée Globe consists of sailing around the world, from west to east, via the three great capes of Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn. A long descent of the Atlantic Ocean, followed by the perilous crossing of the South Seas with the Indian Ocean and its crossed seas, then the Pacific Ocean punctuate this course worthy of a maritime adventure novel.
The principle
A single-handed round-the-world race, without stopovers and without assistance: these three parameters remain the original and unchanged essence of the Vendée Globe. And they are at the origin of the mythical character of this race, where the sailor, man or woman, finds himself or herself alone in the face of the elements, sometimes calm, sometimes wild.
It is only when rescuing a colleague in distress that the skippers are allowed to break their solitude. But the rescued skipper is eliminated from the race. Life as a skipper in the Vendée Globe is too hard! The only technical stopover that could really be considered for a competitor would be to return to Les Sables-d'Olonne to repair the damage, within a maximum of 10 days after the start, and to set off again. No assistance. And especially not a weather routing! The sailor must therefore make all his calculations alone, using the high-tech equipment available on the boat. In addition to thinking alone about the course, he must be able to repair damage or treat himself in case of injury (the sailor is only entitled to remote assistance from the race doctor). Of course, it is strictly forbidden to dock another boat or to bring a third person on board. However, sailors are allowed to consult the boat's architect or their technical team to find out the best way to carry out a possible repair.
Sources: www.vendeeglobe.org
