The Vendée Globe is an esteemed solo sailing race starting on November 10 in France, featuring 40 sailors from ten nations. Known for its extreme challenges, the race requires participants to navigate around the globe without stopovers. This year marks the tenth edition since 1989, with only 114 sailors having finished previously. Competitors use Open 60 boats, and the race lasts around three months, covering approximately 45,000 kilometers. Sailors face intense conditions, sleep deprivation, and limited food options, underscoring the event’s risks and demanding nature.
The Vendée Globe: The Ultimate Sailing Challenge
On Sunday, the Vendée Globe, the world’s most prestigious sailing regatta, will commence on the Atlantic coast of France. This thrilling event features 40 sailors from ten different nations embarking on a solo, nonstop journey around the globe. Taking place every four years, the Vendée Globe is renowned for its unparalleled challenges and fierce competition.
Why is the Vendée Globe So Unique?
Regarded as the toughest sailing race on the planet, the Vendée Globe presents extreme climatic conditions that participants must navigate during their journey. Unlike other solo sailing events, competitors must complete the race alone and without any stopovers. Since its inception in 1989, this year marks the tenth iteration of the Vendée Globe. Notably, only 114 sailors have successfully crossed the finish line, a stark contrast to the number of individuals who have traveled to the International Space Station.
A significant part of French cultural heritage, the race starts in the Vendée department, a region intrinsically linked to maritime activities. Les Sables-d’Olonne, the departure point, is a hub for offshore sailing, alongside Lorient. Interestingly, all previous winners of the Vendée Globe hail from France.
When Does the Vendée Globe Begin and End?
The race kicks off on Sunday, November 10, at 1:02 PM. In the lead-up to the event, organizers expect a staggering 1.5 million visitors in Les Sables-d’Olonne, with over half a million spectators present for the start. The race will be broadcast live on French television.
Participants can expect the race to last approximately three months, with the record time set by French sailor Armel Le Cléac’h at 74 days, 3 hours, and 35 minutes in 2017. The last edition saw its winner finish in 80 days, while the slowest champion, Alain Gautier, took 110 days to complete the race in 1993.
The Route of the Vendée Globe
Sailors will navigate eastward, covering around 45,000 kilometers. They will begin their journey through the Bay of Biscay, heading south across the Atlantic. According to race regulations, participants must keep the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn on their left while keeping the Arctic to the right.
The route is dictated by the “Roaring Forties” in the South Pacific, where weather and sea conditions pose significant challenges. In this region, winds predominantly blow from the west, occasionally reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, making westward circumnavigation particularly arduous, albeit feasible.
What Boats Will Be Used in the Race?
The Vendée Globe will feature Open 60 boats, commonly referred to as Imoca. These monohull vessels were designed in the early 1990s specifically for long-distance races like circumnavigations and have been continually refined. They measure around 20 meters in length, with masts reaching nearly 30 meters high. While the dimensions are regulated, designers have considerable creative freedom.
In the 2016/2017 edition, some participants incorporated foils for the first time, although not all competitors will utilize this technology in the current race, primarily due to cost concerns.
Notable Participants from Switzerland and Beyond
Among the contestants, Jean Le Cam, affectionately known as “Roi Jean,” stands out as the oldest participant at 65 years. This marks his sixth Vendée Globe appearance, a record in itself, though he has yet to achieve a podium finish. In a remarkable twist of fate, during his previous race, he ended up rescuing fellow sailor Kevin Escoffier after a severe accident.
While Le Cam may not be a frontrunner this time, other competitors to watch include Swiss sailor Mettraux, Germany’s Boris Herrmann, and British sailors Samantha Davies and Sam Goodchild. France’s hopes rest on the shoulders of previous champion Yannick Bestaven and Charlie Dalin.
Life Aboard During the Vendée Globe
Sailors experience extreme sleep deprivation during the race. Even with autopilot capabilities, uninterrupted sleep rarely exceeds 30 minutes, as constant adjustments to sails and vigilance for surrounding conditions are required. Most participants manage only about five hours of sleep per day.
Culinary options are also limited. Fresh food is available only immediately after the start, after which Swiss sailor Heer relies on freeze-dried meals, treating himself to Bündnerfleisch on occasion.
The Risks of the Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe is not without its dangers, with two fatalities recorded in its history. In 1992, American sailor Mike Plant vanished while delivering his yacht, and on the first